Scripture… As We Live It #260
This is the 260th passage in “Scripture… As We Live It.”
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? Wait a minute… what am I saying? You’re Christians so you can’t be slaves to sin. Just ignore that part. (Romans 6:16 re-mix)
(Please read the first post for an explanation of this series.)
This is a disturbing remix. If you are indirectly saying that it applies to Christians and that their actions can lead to death, perhaps you need to redefine both “Christian” and “death” in your context.
Tom,
I usually don’t reply to comments on my SAWLI posts, but just let the “re-mix” stand as is. But, I’ll reply here.
Paul has already made it clear that the wrath of God is against those who are not “in Christ” (i.e., Christians), but not against those who are in Christ. He has also made it clear that Christians are no longer “slaves of sin.” We have been released from that bondage, and are no longer under the punishment for sin (which is death).
However, in this passage (paragraph), he also makes it clear that while we are no longer slaves to sin, we can choose to present ourselves to sin as its slave. (Consider someone released from real slavery, but choosing to continue to serve that old master as a slave.)
So, someone who is in Christ (a Christian) is no longer a “slave of sin” and will not have to pay the wages of sin (death), but can live as a slave of sin.
-Alan