Romans 6:17: But Thanks Be To God, That You Who Were Once Slaves Of Sin Have Become Obedient From The Heart

Romans 6:17
[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, (ESV)

There are so many reasons to give thanks to God. Paul is thanking God because of the transformation that he has seen take place in those who have surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ. Scripture says that even the angels rejoice when a sinner comes to Jesus. We ought to always be full of thanks when we see lives transformed by the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Paul reminds us that the former way of life was a life of slavery to sin. Those who do not know the Lord are not "good people," but rather slaves of sin. Their master will bring them to eternal death unless Christ intervenes in their lives. We come to Christ, willingly, to serve a master who brings life, and forgiveness of sins.

Notice this contrast between being a slave to sin and becoming obedient to teaching. The teaching of the truth of God's Word is essential to our salvation. In this same letter to the Romans Paul says, "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ (Romans 10:17)." The teaching of the word of Christ is essential to our spiritual lives.

I love how Paul says that we were committed to this standard of teaching. Sadly, in the church today, many view the Bible as something to turn to when you have a problem. Many Christians view the Bible as an occasional thing, not an essential thing. There is an encouragement here for us to commit ourselves to the very Word of God which gave us the knowledge of salvation.

Are you saved? Have you been set free from the slavery of sin? Commit yourself to the teaching that brought you life.

Comments

Romans 8:18: For I Consider That The Sufferings Of This Present Time Are Not Worth Comparing

Romans 8:18 [18] For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. (ESV) Perspective. What an important word. Let's be honest. We do not like the idea of suffering. We will do almost anything to avoid any kind of suffering. Some churches have gone so far as to preach against the idea of suffering, declaring it to not be a part of the true believer's life. Paul is not shy about the topic. Paul uses the sufferings of this present time as a means to consider the greater glory that awaits us. Perspective. Paul is not in any way attempting to diminish our suffering. A view toward eternity puts our suffering in a proper understanding. Yes, our suffering is terrible. In the grand scheme of eternity it is not even worth comparison. Maybe you are thinking that Paul does not know what he is talking about when it comes to suffering. In 2 Corinthians 11 Paul describes countless beatings, often near death,

Romans 11:24: For If You Were Cut From What Is By Nature A Wild Olive Tree, And Grafted, Contrary To Nature, Into A Cultivated Olive Tree . . .

Romans 11:24 [24] For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree. (ESV) We continue looking at the illustration of an olive tree. The root of the tree is the covenant relationship relationship of God with Abraham. Abraham's faith is what this spiritual tree is built on. The first branches would have been the faithful people of Israel, who like Abraham, placed their faith in God. They believed God, just like Abraham, and it was credited to them as righteousness. There were branches of the people of Israel who never placed their faith in God. Because these branches were not true followers of God they were broken off of the tree. Faith in God was the essential element that made the branches true branches of this spiritual tree. Some branches remained. Others, the faithless unbelievers, were removed. After Jesu

Romans 15:20-21: And Thus I Make It My Ambition To Preach The Gospel, Not Where Christ Has Already Been Named

Romans 15:20–21 [20] and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else's foundation, [21] but as it is written, “Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.” (ESV) We need to be reminded continually that the message of the Gospel is intended to move all across the world. Jesus said that his followers were to preach the Gospel, starting in Jerusalem, and continue preaching the Gospel to the whole world. Christians have not always been good at delivering the Gospel message as far and as often as they should. In the first century church it took intense persecution to motivate the disciples in Jerusalem to bring the Gospel to Judea and Samaria. Once the disciples fled to new regions they shared the Gospel wherever they went. Would the disciples have preached the Gospel without the persecution? We may never know. Some probably would have stayed in their co

Search This Blog