“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, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.” (Rom 6:17-18)

If you are a Christian today, you were saved from slavery. Yes, you were saved from slavery. Before Christ you lived in bondage to sin. It held you captive. You were unable to escape its chains. You were led here and there, committing further acts of lawlessness because sin reigned in your life.

Christ has set you free! His sacrifice on our behalf and our belief in Him as Savior broke the chains of sin. Jesus released us from bondage so that we might live upright lives. Lives free from the grip of sin.

Since we have been set free from sin, we should not allow it to dominate us. We should not allow it mastery over us. Instead, we should live as free men and women from the grip of sin.

Though we have been freed from sin, that doesn’t mean we are free. We are either a slave of sin and Satan or a slave of God. There is not neutral middle ground. Having been saved and freed from slavery to sin by Jesus, we should live as if He is our Master. We should live our freed lives as slaves of righteousness.

Slaves of righteousness is that for which we have been created. We were created by God to live according to His will and way. Those who live upright lives, who seek God’s wisdom found in His Word, live with God’s blessing. To experience God’s blessing results in a life of joy despite the external circumstances we experience.

Christian, are you living in your past chains or are you living as a slave of righteousness?