What then?  Should we sin because we are not under the law, but under grace?  Absolutely not!  Don’t you know that if you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of that one you obey-either of sin, leading to death, or of obedience, leading to righteousness?  Romans 6:15-16 HCSB

None of us like to think of ourselves as slaves.  In the Bible Joseph was sold into slavery.  He had no choice of who his master was, but God worked everything out for him.  When we think of slaves, we think of someone who is purchased for a price or today maybe abducted and forced into a life of slavery.  We think of people that have no choice or say so as to whom they serve.

As Christians, we know that we are sinners.  Romans 3:23 tells us that, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”  The very next verse, verse 24 tells us that “we are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Jesus Christ”.

Now this is where our free will comes into the picture.  You see, just because we serve a merciful and graceful God does not mean that we sin all the more knowing that we can ask forgiveness.  When you become saved, when God calls you to make a public profession of faith, He cleanses you from your sin.  You are a new creation.  Will you be tempted by the flesh?  Of course you will.  There will be a daily battle raging.  The devil wants you back.  You have to make the choice.  You have to decide.

The difference here, which hopefully will make your choice much easier, is that being a slave to God has some wonderful rewards.  There are lots of perks to working for God.  There is the  peace and joy that we get from living in righteousness.  There is the presence of God in our lives, which if you have never felt that, all I can say is Wow!  It is awesome!  There is the protection that God offers us.  If you want to read all about that go to Psalm 91 or read the books on Psalm 91 written by Peggy Joyce Ruth.  She does a wonderful job of explaining this Psalm.  Her books are short and easy to read.  The job is tough at times, but the rewards are plentiful.

Now if you choose a life of slavery to sin, well that is not so good.  You see the devil doesn’t care about you as a person.  The devil just wants control.  He will tell you all kinds of lies to gain control.  The problem is once you become his slave it is hard to escape.  He will tell you that you can handle the alcohol, drugs, porn, gambling, whatever it is that you may become addicted to.  He will tell you that it is okay to satisfy the desires of the flesh.  Remember he told Eve that it would be okay to eat the fruit, that did not work out so well for her and Adam.  God forgave them, but their lives were much harder than they would have been had they simply obeyed God. You can read all about the fall of Adam and Eve in Genesis Chapter 3.

Then let’s take a look at Noah.  He was obedient to God.  He built this huge ark when everyone thought he was a fool talking about this great flood that was gonna come.  But Noah just kept on building that ark.  When God sent the flood, he spared Noah and his family.  This is in Genesis chapters 6-8.

Then there is the story of Joseph.  Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers.  They were jealous of him.  Can you imagine?   One day you are living the good life.  You are your Dad’s favorite son and then all of a sudden you are a captive sold into slavery being taken to a foreign land.  You can read the story of Joseph, also in Genesis, beginning in chapter 37.  Joseph stayed obedient to God.  This is what I love about Joseph, through all the ups and downs he faced, he trusted God and remained obedient.  He didn’t say, “well God doesn’t care about me or he wouldn’t let this happen to me”.  He trusted God’s plan.  He ended up being second in command in Egypt.  He forgave his brothers and was able to save his father and his family from famine. God had good plans for him, just as we are told in Jeremiah 29:11.

So what about you?  Do you trust God’s plan for your life?  Are you obedient to Him even when things are going so well?  Have you sold yourself into the slavery of a righteous life lived for Christ?  Or are you straddling the fence, trying to decide?  Or maybe you are reading this in misery because of your slavery to sin.

Whatever your circumstances today, know this.  You have to choose God.  He will not force himself on you.  It is your choice to make.  You can choose to be miserable drowning in sin or you can choose the peace and comfort that comes from a life lived with Jesus Christ.

My prayer for you today is that you will come to Christ.  Lay your burdens and your cares at His feet.  He is big enough to handle them.  He is faithful to save us and cleanse us from our sins.  All you have to do is trust in Him.  Experience the joy of a life in slavery to Christ.  It is truly awesome!!

Have a great day!