Romans: The Greatest Letter Ever Written The Grace Effect: Enslaved to Righteousness Romans 6:15-19

The grace effect: 6:1-4 - Baptized into Christ 6: United with Christ 6: Presented to God 6: Enslaved to righteousness 6: Secured for eternity

Historical Context - Life in Rome

Discussion on servant, bondservant and slave…

“What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! 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? 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, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.

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.” (Romans 6:15– 19, ESV)

Are we free to sin since we have received grace? Short answer: No! (15) “What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means!” (Romans 6:15, ESV)

When we became slaves to God we gave up our rights to go back under the authority of sin. (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?” (Romans 6:16, ESV)

"Conversion is an act of self-surrender; self-surrender leads inevitably to slavery; and slavery demands a total, radical, exclusive obedience." -John Stott

Paul only gives us two options: slaves of sin or slaves of righteousness. (17-18) “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, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.” (Romans 6:17–18, ESV)

Stage 1 - You started as slaves to sin. (saturation) “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, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.” (Romans 6:17–18, ESV)

Stage 2 - You became obedient to God. (conversion) “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, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.” (Romans 6:17–18, ESV)

Stage 3 - You have been set free from sin. (emancipation) “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, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.” (Romans 6:17–18, ESV)

Stage 4 - You have become slaves of righteousness. (Transformation) “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, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.” (Romans 6:17–18, ESV)

Righteousness /Dikaioun: to be accepted as worthy or qualified, to possess a valid performance record, to have nothing that disqualifies you

Our state of slavery is constantly developing. (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.” (Romans 6:19, ESV)

"Neither slavery is static. Both are dynamic, the one steadily deteriorating, the other steadily progressing." -John Stott

Our state of slavery is constantly developing. (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.” (Romans 6:19, ESV)

Get to know your new manager.

Accept your responsibility to obey as an opportunity not an obligation.

Get to know your new manager. Accept your responsibility to obey as an opportunity not an obligation. Own the truth that "it's not about you", never has been and never will be.

Get to know your new manager. Accept your responsibility to obey as an opportunity not an obligation. Own the truth that "it's not about you", never has been and never will be. Be a team player.

Get to know your new manager. Accept your responsibility to obey as an opportunity not an obligation. Own the truth that "it's not about you", never has been and never will be. Be a team player. Look for opportunities to deny yourself and serve others.

Get to know your new manager. Accept your responsibility to obey as an opportunity not an obligation. Own the truth that "it's not about you", never has been and never will be. Be a team player. Look for opportunities to deny yourself and serve others. Worship.