Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness?
— ROMANS 6:16 —
Mark Tatlock: President, TMAI Headquarters | USA
Do you find yourself thinking that you have no choice but to yield to sin’s temptation? Perhaps a repeated pattern of lust, envy, gossip, or anger has caused you to feel defeated, and to think that you have no choice but to sin? Our verse today is a reminder that a defeatist mentality is not biblical, nor will it position you to experience the freedom from sin that God promises us here and now. Trying to serve the world and Christ results in a functional syncretism (the blending of one’s religious values and beliefs with those of another faith system—in this case, the world’s). Paul makes a bold assertion that we have a choice as to whether we “present” ourselves to sin or to righteousness. Prior to our salvation, we were slaves to our sinful lusts, and we could not choose otherwise. But now, in Christ, we are no longer slaves to sin (Rom. 6:6) and we have the freedom to choose to do what is righteous (Rom. 12:1–2; Gal. 5:13). In cultures dominated by Islam, Buddhism, or other major false religions, when someone comes to faith in Christ, the choice has very clear consequences, including rejection by family and society. For Westerners, however, the subtle integration of the world’s values clouds their ability to see the distinct difference between choosing righteousness or sin. Trying to serve the world and Christ results in a functional syncretism (the blending of one’s religious values and beliefs with those of another faith system—in this case, the world’s). Consider today, whether you have resigned yourself to this way of thinking. Ask God to point out to you where your attitude is either one of defeatism or of syncretism. Rejoice in the promise that you are free to choose, through the Spirit’s power, to live as a slave to Christ.
