by Charles R. Swindoll
Romans 6:16 NLT
Even those who live in a free country need warnings. So we shouldn't
be surprised that God gives His own a few warnings lest we abuse our privileges
as people under grace. These warnings are set forth in verses 16 through 23 of
Romans 6. None of them is complicated, but to grasp each one we'll need to
concentrate. For some reason, this information is not commonly heard in many
churches today. So we must be taught to handle grace rather carefully. An
overall principle is woven into the words of verse 16:
Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone
as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin
resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness?
If you were to ask me to give you in one sentence what the
balance of chapter 6 is teaching, it would be this: How we live depends on the
master we choose. "Do you not know that when you present yourselves to
someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey?"
Why, of course! Submission to a master is tantamount to slavery to the same
master. And what are the alternatives?
There are only two: "either of sin resulting in death,
or of obedience resulting in righteousness." Every day we live, we have a
choice to do what is right or what is wrong. When we send our young children
off to school, we tell them, "Now, sweetheart, you need to know that Mom
and Dad won't be there to make your decisions. You will find some kids at
school who will encourage you to do what is right, and you'll find others who
will lead you to disobey and do what is wrong. Make the right choice. Select
your friends carefully. Be smart."
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