20 When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. 21 What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
According to our verses today, we have a simple but profound choice: we are either slaves to sin or slaves to righteousness. We have either given our allegiance to sin or we have offered ourselves to a life of following Jesus.
I often think in terms of living my own way, for my own desires versus living God’s way. However, this passage uses the stronger word - “slaves” - and lets us know that either way we have a master - sin or God.
What differences do you see in the two types of slavery listed in this passage? If you are a slave to God, what does it mean when it says you are set free?
How does your outward life reflect to whom you have given your life?
In this Christmas season, how can you reflect your master to others?
Praise God for His gift of eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
