From Slaves to Sin to Servants of Righteousness

From Slaves to Sin to Servants of Righteousness
Romans 6:15–23
Over the past several weeks, we’ve been studying Romans in a series called The Very Good News. Paul’s letter to the Romans reminds us that salvation is entirely a work of God’s grace — not our own effort. We are made right with God not because of anything we do, but because of what Jesus has already done on the cross. And because we didn’t earn this grace, we also can’t lose it.

But that truth comes with an important question:
If we’re saved by grace and not by our own works, does that mean we’re free to live however we want?

Paul’s answer is clear: By no means! Grace isn’t permission to keep sinning — it’s the power to stop.

Who’s Your Master?
In Romans 6:16, Paul paints a vivid picture of two kinds of slavery.

“Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?”

We’re all serving something. Whether it’s work, reputation, control, comfort, or even yard work — something drives our behavior and demands our time and energy. The truth is, we can’t have two masters (Matthew 6:24). We’re either serving sin, which leads to death, or serving Christ, which leads to life.

Before we came to Christ, we didn’t have a choice — sin was our master. But now, through faith in Jesus, we do have a choice. We’ve been set free from sin, but that freedom isn’t to do whatever we want. It’s the freedom to obey Christ — to live under a new and better Master who leads us to righteousness and eternal life.

The Ring That Rules Us
If you’ve ever seen The Lord of the Rings, you might remember Gollum and his obsession with “the precious.” The ring promised him power and freedom — but in the end, it enslaved and destroyed him.

That’s what sin does. It promises life, freedom, and pleasure, but it twists and binds us instead. Sin always demands more and never satisfies. But in Christ, we are no longer bound to that destructive cycle. We’ve been set free — not to serve ourselves, but to serve the Lord who gives life.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” — Romans 6:23

Growing in Obedience
Paul’s message isn’t just about what we’re freed from — it’s also about what we’re freed for.
We are freed to become “slaves of righteousness.” In other words, to joyfully obey Christ out of love, not fear.

But how do we actually grow in obedience and righteousness? How do we learn to “sin less” and live more fully for God?

Paul points us toward what the church has long called the spiritual disciplines — practices that place us at the feet of Jesus so He can transform us. These include reading and meditating on Scripture, prayer, fasting, worship, confession, service, simplicity, and stewardship.

By themselves, these practices don’t make us holy — only God’s grace does. But they position our hearts where God can do His transforming work.

Meditating on God’s Word
One discipline Paul’s teaching invites us to rediscover is meditation on Scripture. Biblical meditation isn’t about emptying your mind — it’s about filling it with the truth of God’s Word and letting it shape your thoughts.

Joshua 1:8 says:

“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night… then you will make your way prosperous, and you will have good success.”

When we slow down to reflect on Scripture — whether it’s a verse about God’s faithfulness or His calling on our lives — we come to see His character more clearly. That understanding leads to delight, and delight leads to obedience.

The Practice of Fasting
Another spiritual discipline is fasting — temporarily giving up food (or something else) to focus our attention on God. Scripture shows fasting as a way to seek God’s guidance, confess sin, and express dependence on Him. Jesus didn’t say if you fast, but when you fast (Matthew 6:16–18).

Fasting reminds us that we’re not ruled by our desires — and that mastering physical hunger can help us master spiritual temptation as well. It opens our hearts to God’s voice in powerful ways.

Choosing the Right Master
Paul closes Romans 6 by reminding us that every person serves a master. The question isn’t whether we’ll serve, but whom we’ll serve.
Will we remain slaves to sin — bound to patterns that destroy us?
Or will we present ourselves to God — slaves to righteousness, growing in holiness and joy through His grace?

As we practice the disciplines of faith — reading, praying, fasting, worshiping — we’re not earning anything. We’re simply offering ourselves to the One who already set us free.
So this week, maybe choose one discipline to focus on. Spend a few extra minutes in Scripture. Try fasting for a meal to pray. Serve someone quietly and joyfully. In doing so, you’ll be choosing the better Master — the one who brings life.

“Thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart… and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.” — Romans 6:17–18

Scriptures Referenced

• Romans 6:1–23
• Romans 12:1–2
• Matthew 6:24
• Psalm 119:9–11, 105
• Hebrews 4:12
• Joshua 1:8
• Psalm 1:1–2
• Ephesians 2:10
• 2 Timothy 3:16–17
• Matthew 6:16–18
• Acts 13:1–3
• Deuteronomy 9:9–11
• Ezra 10:6
• Daniel 10:1–3
• Jonah 3 (Nineveh’s fasting)
• Esther 4:15–16