18. Romans 6:15-23 - The Results of Sin and the Fruit of Righteousness

In this passage, Paul continues his teaching on sin and grace, following up on the questions that arise when we understand that Christians are no longer under the law but under grace. He addresses the potential misunderstanding that grace gives us permission to continue sinning. He also explains the consequences of being enslaved to sin, which leads to death, versus being enslaved to righteousness, which leads to holiness and eternal life.

15 What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! 16 Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, 18 and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. 

19 I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification. 20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Verse 15 starts with a rhetorical question that echoes one from verses 1-2. This repetition highlights key themes that We, though free from the law, are not free to sin but are instead called to offer themselves to God as slaves of righteousness.

• Grace is not a license to sin but a call to live differently(v. 15).
  
  
• The Bible says we are "slaves of the one you obey," which means we're all serving something—either sin, which leads to death, or obedience, which leads to righteousness. Our actions show who or what we’re truly serving (v. 16).
   
• We’ve been set free from the power of sin and have now become "slaves to righteousness," obeying from the heart a new pattern of teaching—the gospel. Our true freedom is not the absence of mastership, but submission to a good and righteous Lord—God Himself(v. 17-18).
  
  
• Just as we once surrendered to impurity and ever-increasing wickedness, now we must surrender to righteousness, which leads to holiness. Before, our sinful choices produced shame and ultimately death. The results of sin is death and the fruit of righteousness is holiness, eternal life in Christ Jesus (v. 19-23).

Today's message clearly shows that we are always serving something. We face a choice between sin, which leads to death, and righteousness, which leads to eternal life. This challenges me to examine what I am serving in my daily life. I understand that true freedom isn’t about doing whatever I want; it’s about choosing to live in a way that pleases God and reflects my new identity in Christ. Yet, I still face the temptation to fall back into old habits and behaviors that do not honor Him. O Lord, have mercy on my weakness! 

Sin leads to shame and spiritual death. I am heartbroken when I reflect on how often I fall into shameful actions before God, leading me to regret and guilt. Oh! Holy Spirit, give me the strength, wisdom, and courage to overcome the temptations of sin and live a victorious life! 

I choose now to be more mindful of my thoughts and actions, ensuring they align with the righteousness I am called to pursue. God, I want to focus on what I’ve been freed for—a life that reflects Your holiness and grace—rather than simply on what I’ve been freed from.

Dear God, My Lord,
Thank You for setting me free from the slavery of sin and giving me the gift of eternal life through Christ. Help me to live in a way that honors You and reflects the righteousness You’ve called me to.

I confess that I often fall into old patterns of thinking and behavior, forgetting that I have been set free. There are many moments when I have given in to temptation and become a slave to sin once again. In those times, I feel the weight of guilt and shame before You, knowing that I have dishonored the freedom You’ve graciously given me. Lord, I regret how my weakness has led me away from Your will, and I ask for Your forgiveness and cleansing.

Please give me the strength and empower me through Your Spirit to resist temptation and live as a servant of righteousness. Help me to break free from these chains and offer myself as an instrument of righteousness in all that I do. Guide my thoughts, actions, and desires so that I may grow in holiness and reflect Your character to those around me.

Thank You for the gift of eternal life in Christ Jesus. May I live in gratitude for this gift, seeking to serve You in all that I do. Let my life be a testimony of Your transforming grace.
In Jesus’ name, I pray,
Amen.