We all desire freedom, but do we really understand what it means? Don Nash in his book, “Collected Christian Convictions” has written an excellent description of freedom. “Mankind really does not have any freedom, except the freedom of choice. We can only choose from what we will be free and to what we will be bound – either bound to God and His word or commandments as servants or slaves, or bound to Satan in the same way.
This principle is brought out clearly by the apostle Paul in Romans 6:16-18. Few people, however, realize this or govern their lives by this ‘law of freedom.’” These verses portray exactly what Don Nash wrote. Therefore, take to heart the warning given to everyone; to be ready when the time comes for you to stand before the Judgment Seat.
“Don’t you know” tells us this is something we should have known. You have a choice and however, you choose will make the difference where you will spend eternity; with God or without Him. Paul makes it clear every individual is a slave to someone. When Paul wrote this passage in many communities 50 percent or more of the residents were slaves so they understood what Paul had written. Today, you will find you are slave to your job working to make a living. If you are not in obedience to God’s will then you are a slave to Satan.
Paul describes the choices this way, “you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness”. Sin is anything you do, think or say in disobedience to God’s instruction. The end result is death. “Death” is simply separation. Physical death is separation of body and soul; spiritual death is separation from God forever. “Righteousness” is being right in God’s eyes. It is striving to be pleasing in God’s sight. You can do this only when Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior.
“Thanks be to God” for the salvation He has provided for all who will come to Jesus Christ. Because of sin the punishment should have been death, but God loves each of us so much He provided the way to overcome sin, to be free in Jesus Christ. When “you wholeheartedly obeyed” the gospel as the Scripture instructed you will be on the path of righteousness. The gospel is the life of Jesus here on earth, with emphasize on the death, burial and resurrection. This is “the form of teaching” to be obeyed. The message you received when you became a Christian you are to take to others so they may know the truth.
When the right choice has been made your sins are washed away. “You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.” You have been cleansed; you have been purified. You are no longer a slave to Satan, but, rather, to God. True freedom is found by being obedient to God. You want freedom? Turn your life over to Jesus and you will have freedom. Time is running out. Carefully consider your relationship with Jesus and then make corrections the way the scripture teaches!!!