Exploring the Scripture
Last week, we explored the idea of taking part in Jesus’ death and resurrection through baptism. Buried with Christ in the waters of baptism, we die to sin’s power. We rise to new life, “alive to God” through our union with Christ. This week, Paul uses the symbols of slaves and soldiers to move from the theory of justification to the practical application for everyday life.
He begins by speaking about power and control, using the word “dominion.” Imagine sin as a ruler who commands loyalty and service. He begs the Roman faithful to avoid offering their “members” (faculties, abilities, and desires) as weapons to be used to serve sin. They are to offer all they are to God, for Godly purposes, knowing that sin has no control over their lives any longer.
Verse 14 states, “you are not under law, but under grace.” As a Jew, being “under the law” would recall the Jewish law, Torah, and the many interpretations and additions to the original Mosaic law. But many of the Roman church members were Gentiles. Being “under the law” for them would have meant striving to obey multiple civic, social, and religious laws. For both groups, the law stresses human striving for perfection and holiness, an unending task. Humans are not equal to God. God alone offers the gift of grace as the key to righteousness.
Paul expands the idea using the imagery of slaves. Note the contrast is not slavery and freedom, but rather two kinds of slavery. We are never entirely free. We owe allegiance to one Master or the other (See Matthew 6:24). Whose are we? Where do our loyalties and obedience lie? What occupies our minds and controls our spending?
Paul asserts that we were all once slaves to sin, obeying the impulses and passions of broken human nature. The result is spiritual death. By opening our hearts to the teachings of the Spirit, we have “been set free from sin.” The sins that control us are not just reduced but are conquered. We have transferred our obedience to a different Master. We are now “slaves of righteousness.” Righteousness means being in the right relationship with God due to the combined forces of God’s grace and our continued faith.
Paul sums up the result in one word: sanctification. When we were slaves to sin, we were free from the expectations of being in a right relationship with God. But the outcomes led to death—dysfunctional lifestyles, broken relationships, physical death, moral break down, and spiritual death. Now, forgiven and justified by faith, we become slaves to God. The result is sanctification—the process of becoming ever more righteous and holy, as we live sacramental lives based on the covenant we made in baptism. We choose to live sanctified lives, not to earn God’s love and acceptance, but as the natural result of receiving God’s grace and mercy.
How we act reveals whose we are. “The end is eternal life” (v. 22) within the love and grace of God, both in our daily existence and in eternity. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (v. 23)
Faith Unfiltered Podcast
Hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith consider how this week's scripture connects to our lives today.
Central Ideas
- Christian ideas of Jesus’ death and resurrection have ethical and practical implications.
- Either sin or God has control and power over our lives. The choice is ours.
- Being set free from sin results in a right relationship with God based on God’s grace, human faith, and sacramental living.
- Sanctification is the process of becoming more aligned with God, more holy, and more open to Spirit’s movement.
Questions to Consider
- To whom do you give allegiance? What is the evidence for your answer? How do you deal with the split loyalties in your life?
- How does sanctification relate to our idea of sacramental living? Which comes first?
- What present-day imagery would you substitute for the ancient symbols of slavery in this discussion of loyalty, allegiance, and masters?
- How does this passage affect your understanding of Christ’s mission and the hope of the kingdom?