Romans: A Change of Ownership

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Romans
Pastor Tom Houser
Change of Ownership

Romans 6:15–23 (ESV) — 15 What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! 16 Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, 18 and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. 19 I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification. 20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Part 1: The Question (v 15)

Are you saying that we don’t need to be concerned about sin because the law no longer applies to us?! That’s great news! What are you talking about?! No!

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Part 2: The Explanation (v 16-22)

We are all slaves, salvation results in a change in .

• The question isn’t “Do I have a master?” The question is “Who is my ?”
• Matthew 6:24; Galatians 5:1; 2 Peter 2:19; John 8:34; Ephesians 6:5–6; Titus 2:3; Titus 3:3–8.
• We are much more than slaves, but we are not less than slaves.

From slaves of sin to slaves of righteousness.

• Not because we have to, but because we want to!
• These two masters are completely different.
  • The one is rigorous and relentless, leading to death
  • The other is joyous and satisfying, leading to life and peace.
  • Luke 6:46-49
  • Matthew 11:28–30

From slaves to impurity and lawlessness to slaves of righteousness

From slaves to sin which leads to shame and death, to slaves to God, which leads to sanctification and life.

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Part 3: The Summary (v 23)

• The ultimate results of these two masters: death and life.
• Death is earned from sin. Life is given by grace.

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This week:

1. Surrender: Present yourself to God as Master (your part), committing to obey Him by grace (His part).
2. Commit yourself to the teaching of Christ. Learn the narratives of His Kingdom. Read GPReads.
3. Pattern your life after the saints of Christ. Find and step deep into life-giving, Christ-honoring community.
4. Regularly examine your life with Christ. Soul exercise call the Daily Examen.
   • Place yourself in God’s presence. Give thanks for God’s great love for you.
   • Pray for the grace to see and understand how God is acting in your life.
   • Review your day, remembering specific moments that stick out to you.
   • Reflect on what you did, said, or thought in those instances. Who was your master in those moments?
   • Look toward tomorrow — think of how you might present yourself to God as your Master in similar moments.

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