Romans 6:18-23 (KJV)

18. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
19. I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.
20. For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.
21. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death.
22. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlastin glife.
23. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

As we come to the conclusion of Romans 6 we must remember all that Paul has said:
In chapters 1 and 2 Paul clearly shows that every man is without excuse before God. We cannot say to Him, "But I never knew you expected me to be perfect and righteous!"
In chapters 3 and 4 Paul declares that God provides perfect righteousness for believers. This gift of righteousness is given freely to believers and is the basis of our justification.
In chapter 5 Paul shows the wonderful benefits of those who are justified freely by grace. And in this chapter Paul answers the objections of those who say that this doctrine of justification by God's free grace takes away all motives for believers to abstain from evil.

In our text Paul gives us additional reasons why a believer will be saved from his sins. You shall call his name Jesus because he shall save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21)

1. God has broken the chains that enslaved you to sin . . .
   "Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness" (v.18).
   Redemption for the believer is pictured with real, human, earthy language (v.19). The language of heaven can only be understood through the languages of men. In order for spiritual truth to be driven home to the heart, earthly illustrations are used.
   1. Before Christ saved you, you were chained to sin.
      "For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness" (v.20).
      The picture here is one of servitude. In the market place (agora) of Paul's day, slaves would be bought and traded. The purchasing of a slave was common. Christ has entered the marektplace of the world and has redeemed you for Himself, but the payment was "the price of His own blood" (I Corinthians 6:20).
   2. Since Christ has saved you, you have become a servant of righteousness.
      This does not mean that you are entirely free from the influence of sin, but it does mean that things have happened to you that have not happened to others.
      1. Your master has changed -- The Lord Jesus Christ now owns you.
      2. Your motives have changed -- you serve God out of gratitude, not fear.
      3. Your memory has changed -- (v.21). "What fruit (benefit) had ye in those things whereof ye are now ashamed?" Our past is sinful and shameful. But when the Devil reminds us of our past, we remind him of his future.
2. God has blessed the changes that emanate from within you . . .
   The way you used to live, apart from God, independent from Christ's Lordship, may have been pleasurable at the time, but you look back in shame and disgust on it all. "But now as servants to God, ye have fruit unto holiness, and everlasting life" (v.22).
   Sin pays. Justification pays. Sin has wages. God's grace has wages (v.23).
   1. Sin pays you death. Not just physical death, but what the Bible calls "the second death." The Old Testament sacrifices were appointed to be salted with 'the salt of the covenant' (Leviticus 2:13). Salt was a symbol of incorruptibility. Hell is forever.
   2. Justification pays you life. "The gift of God (justification) pays eternal life." Therefore, my faith in Christ is essential!! My hope is built on nothing less! "Holiness is but the expression of the Christ-life from within" J.C. Wand

   

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   Questions? Comments?
   Pastor Wade