Romans 6:17–18
Do you ever find yourself torn between two masters, each demanding a different kind of allegiance?
It’s a dilemma everyone faces. Romans 6 speaks of these two masters, sin and righteousness, and the undeniable impact they have on our lives.
“But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were entrusted,” (Romans 6:17).
In the realm of sin, we are told that its service requires us to do things that align with its nature. It’s a slippery slope, as verse 19 aptly describes it, where iniquity begets more iniquity.
Eventually, we find ourselves sinking into a pit of shame, as verse 21 warns. Sin, it seems, is a demanding master indeed, one that offers no reward but death, as verse 23 solemnly reminds us.
“and after being freed from sin, you became slaves to righteousness” (Romans 6:18).
On the other hand, there is the master of righteousness. This master calls for something quite different — obedience, as verse 17 points out. It’s a service guided by the teachings found in the Scriptures, as verse 22 emphasizes, and it leads us toward holiness, according to verse 19.
Serving this master, God, means living a life in harmony with the principles of the Bible, striving for a state of holiness.
Now, the choice is yours. Which master will you choose to serve? It’s a question that goes beyond this life, as it ultimately determines your eternal destination.
Will you be bound to the master of sin, with its bleak outcome, or will you embrace the path of righteousness, with its promise of everlasting life, as verse 22 suggests?
In the book of Romans, we are presented with a choice. It’s a choice that echoes in your heart today, reminding you that your actions and decisions shape not only your present but also your eternity.
So, as you contemplate these words, consider the question: which master do you choose to serve? Where do you want your eternal destination to be?
For a devotion on Romans 6:20-21 click here.
1 Comment