By Allen
White
Because of
the weakness of your human nature, I am using the illustration of slavery to
help you understand all this. Previously, you let yourselves be slaves to
impurity and lawlessness, which led ever deeper into sin. Now you must give
yourselves to be slaves to righteous living so that you will become holy. Romans 6:19 (NLT)
Voluntary
slavery is certainly an oxymoron. It’s right up there with a “necessary evil.” It
seems that Paul could use a different analogy here. Yet, consider where he
starts, “Because of the weakness of your human nature.” Human beings are
designed to be loyal, to be committed to something or someone, even if it’s
harmful to us, i.e. an over-referenced Bob Dylan song.
There are
instances in Scripture where people did volunteer to enslave themselves to
another (Exodus 21:5-6). After six years of service, a Hebrew slave had the
opportunity to go free, yet could choose to remain as a slave. He would then
become a slave for life. It’s very difficult to understand that circumstance.
Why would someone choose to remain the possession of another when freedom is at
hand? We’re not so different.
Paul writes
that we are “slaves to impurity and lawlessness, which [lead] ever deeper into
sin.” While these terms seem to be extreme, disobedience to God is, in fact,
“lawlessness.” When we go against God’s way or find a substitute for God, we
are practicing lawlessness. Pursuing our own way and depending on something or
someone else for our security and well-being are indeed lawlessness, if not
idolatry.
Impurity can
mean immorality, but it can also indicate choosing against being set apart or
holy for God. While God wants us to
enjoy the lives He has given us, He never intended for us to live these lives
solely to please ourselves. These behaviors enslave us.
Righteous
living sounds like such an uptight term. It seems to imply staying on our guard
so that others will think well of us. But, our righteousness is from Christ.
Righteous living is life in Christ. Rather than focusing solely on our wants
and needs, we focus on what it is that Christ is calling us to do. We allow Him
to live His life through us.
What is
getting in your way right now? What thoughts, desires or behaviors are keeping
you from living the life that God intends? What step can you take today to do
something about it?
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