Living a Life of Slavery

Scripture: For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. Romans 6:20-22

Observation: Paul compares and contrasts a life lead 'under sin' versus 'under the law', using a metaphor of slavery (a human term as he says). He begins by saying that people are slaves to sin, and when they repent and place their faith in Jesus they become slaves to righteousness. As a slave, you are compelled to obey, and thus this means there is a shift as to which master you will obey, sin or righteousness.

However, Paul goes a step further, asking the question ... what fruit, or what outcome, does one receive for their work as a slave? When a slave to sin, the fruit was ... shame, pain, and in the end death. When a slave to righteousness, the fruit is ... holiness, hope, joy, and in the end eternal life.

Application: I have had multiple conversations with non-believing friends where their objection to "Christianity" is the issue of ... compliance. They see belief as a control system designed to govern both thought and behavior. Paul declares us slaves to righteousness, and slavery requires obedience, and so he would agree with non-believers. However, what the non-believers miss are two elements:

1) They are already slaves to something else, be it a lifestyle, behavior, habit, or addiction, and in such they govern their behavior to comply with the expectations of that thing.

2) There is an outcome to both choices of what/whom to obey, and one of them certainly does not end well.

I need to have this knowledge for my next conversation with a non-believer. It goes in line with the question "what do you believe?", as we know everyone believes something. Having some (gentle but direct) language to be able to discuss how non-believers are still slaves - still with requisite obedience, and still with a future outcome associated with that choice - may help.

Yes, I am a slave to righteousness. I am expected to obey Jesus Christ. And the fruit I receive is great.

Prayer: Lord, I pray for friends, coworkers, and acquaintances who this day believe they are "free" because they don't believe, and thus are actually slaves of a terrible taskmaster who is taking them away to death. They fight against obedience to you, while obeying that which will destroy them. May they learn your truth, and discover the gentleness of your yoke. Amen.