Romans 6:15-23
Be Still: Lord, I give this day – and this moment – to you. Help me turn my attention from life’s distractions towards you and your presence. (Pause, close your eyes, and breathe.) Come, lead and guide me today. I invite you into the depths of my heart.
Read: Romans 6:15-23
Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey – whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. (v16-18)
Encounter: We have three young children at home. Most parents will believe me when I say it’s a common misconception that the parents are in charge – make no mistake, the kids rule the roost! I’m forever reminding them that I’m not their slave as they demand drinks, snacks, or flat-out refuse to tidy up their toys.
I joke about not being their slave, but the honest truth is that it’s our joy to serve them. So much of parenting is about laying down our own will and desires for the good of our children, so we can see them flourish.
That’s what being a slave to righteousness looks like – being fully surrendered, willingly laying things down, and choosing a different path. Not out of duty, but because we’re free to, and because of the life and joy it brings.
If I’m going to be a slave to anything, I want it to be to righteousness. And this is the wondrous work of Jesus: that we’ve been set free from everything that enslaves us and given the choice to belong fully to something good, holy, and life-giving.
Apply: Are there things in your life that enslave you – ways of thinking, patterns of behaviour, bad choices? Ask God, by the power of Jesus’ blood, to free you from them. Then offer yourself fully to his authority and leadership. Become a slave to his perfect ways – a slave to righteousness.
Devote: Father, please free me from anything that is contrary to your Word and your life. I willingly submit myself to you and to the things of heaven. Come, transform me by the renewing of my mind, and lead me into righteousness.