2. 12. Slaves to Righteousness Romans 6:15 – 7:6 p. 1042

3. Slaves to Righteousness Last week:  We are no longer slaves to sin:  Our sinful natures have been crucified (v 6)  We are no longer under Law but under Grace (v 14)  We have been given freedom to CHOOSE ! ! !  “Shall we sin because we are not under Law but under Grace?” (v 15)

4. Slaves to Righteousness...  Comes at the question from the opposite end:  Previously: Perspective of the oppressive power of sin  Now: Perspective of our freedom to choose.  Key concepts foreign to us in the modern world.  Slaves + Freedom  Righteousness + Shalom  Law + Spirit

5. 1. Slaves & Freedom  Modern Western world – two ideas:  Individual autonomy: a definition of freedom  Rationalism: only Natural laws – no supernatural.  Ancient world: Everyone had a duty to another  Part of the right ordering of the cosmos.  Today: Freedom = do what I want, when I want.

6. 1. Slaves & Freedom...  Paul: We are all slaves to someone.  Only two possible options:  Slaves to Sin – reward is death (v 21, 23)  Slaves to Righteousness – reward is Life (v 22, 23)  We are slaves to the one we obey (v 16)  Obedience, righteousness, holiness, life – all intimately related.

7. 1. Slaves & Freedom...  Key word: “Offer” (v 19)  We get to choose who we offer ourselves to.  We cannot be our own masters:  We end up being slaves to sin.  Human nature finds peace when oriented to God  We were not created to be our own masters!

8. 1. Slaves & Freedom...  Example from everyday life – term “slaves”  Being slaves to God is no slavery at all !!!  It is the ultimate freedom.  Freedom to be all that we were created to be.  Freedom to do all that leads to fulfillment and flourishing – SHALOM !  To be His slaves is to be truly free.

9. 2. Righteousness & Shalom  Obedience, righteousness, holiness, life intimately related.  Who do we serve when we are “slaves to God”?  We are serving our own best interests !  Doing whatever I like without reference to my long-term wellbeing or that of others or the environment is not a life of perfect freedom!  No Shalom in selfish ambition, greed, vanity,...  We find shalom in life lived in intimacy with God.

10. 2. Righteousness & Shalom...  Offer ourselves as slaves to righteousness...... path to Shalom.  Choosing righteousness is not a magic spell...... It is a path to a fulfilled life  Not easy because we are surrounded by the ravages of sin.  Perseverance is required.

11. 2. Righteousness & Shalom...  Think about Shalom in your own life.  Are you living with fulfillment and joy?  What things are a block to a closer walk with God?  Ask God to set you free to be a slave of righteousness  Lent starts in one month – Wed Feb 22 nd.  Consider spending 40 days pursuing righteousness.

12. 3. Law & Spirit  Illustration and application:  We know that the Law is changed by death  Example of marriage (v 1-3).  We died through Christ (v 4) so that we could belong to another.  Purpose: so that we could belong to another. – Jesus.  So that we might “bear fruit for God” (v 4)  Previously bore fruit for death (v 5)

13. 3. Law & Spirit...  A new piece to the puzzle of salvation  We live in the Holy Spirit.  No relationship with God based on the law !  Relationships don’t work that way.  Life in the Spirit takes us to the heart and purposes of God.  Only payment for sin is death; God offers Life.

14. Slaves of whom we Obey  “We are slaves of the one we obey” (v 16)  One form of slavery leads to death  The other is no slavery at all  It leads to Shalom  A life of joy and peace.  A life of SHALOM [wellbeing, all as it should be]