Romans 6:17-23

“For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to greater and greater iniquity, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness for sanctification.” vs. 19b

Paul tells the Romans that their choice isn’t between being a slave and being free. Not at all! The choice is between being a slave to impurity and to greater and greater iniquity, or being a slave to righteousness for sanctification.  No matter which way we turn, we’re going to be slaves!

And while that language may seem strange we can see from our experiences in the world that Paul has a point. When we get caught up in the brokenness that seems to be everywhere, it’s impossible to extract ourselves from the tentacles of iniquity, and we are drawn deeper into the morass. That’s the testimony of every person who has ever ventured into the truthtelling of any Twelve Step Program. 

But when we are captured by righteousness the same process brings entirely different results. Only this time instead of being caught up in sin, we are grasped by the desire to live a good and decent life. The truthtelling takes hold of us and we find ourselves changing from the inside out. Soon we find ourselves living in holiness, just as we have been created and set aside to do. The transformation is stunning and beautiful! It’s incredible what the Holy Spirit can do with our lives. In fact, it’s a miracle!

Thought for the Day: What’s it like to be a captive of goodness?