To be set free from sin is not so that we can live for ourselves, but for the One who set us free. Let’s live for Jesus!

2 Good people [those who live for Christ] obtain favor from the LORD, but He condemns those who devise wicked schemes [live for themselves without regard for Him].

Jesus made an interesting statement in John 8. He stated a spiritual truth that still holds true today.

³⁴ Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.” John 8:34

He had said something similar in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7 when He said, “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and mammon [appetite for riches, power, self-exaltation].” Matthew 6:24 Jesus was basically saying that if we are not serving God, then we are serving the other.

This spiritual truth has everything to do with the New Covenant. The Old Covenant showed us what we did not have, which was what it took to conquer sin, “Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.” Romans 3:20. As Jesus said, since we are sinners, we are slaves to sin. Paul said,

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins [we were slaves], ² in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. ³ All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 
¹² remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. Ephesians 2:1-3, 12

Christ has made it possible to be freed from the chains of sin–to become slaves of righteousness. Read it:

¹⁷ But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. ¹⁸ You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. Romans 6:17-18

We must remember that we were not designed to do life on our own. God wants to do life with us. Hence, the cross. Through Christ’s death and atonement for our sins, we can be freed from our bondage to sin as Christ comes to live in our hearts. Our slavery to righteousness simply means that we pledge our allegiance to the Father to live as He directs. Remembering that He is both Great and Good, we can count on Him to deal justly with us NOT according to our own acts, but according to the Righteous Act of His Son, Jesus.

What does this slavery to righteousness look like? Jesus told us,

²⁸ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened [with the bondage of sin], and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

What should we do? Out of gratitude for Christ’s sacrifice, “so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness.” Romans 6:20. We now live for Christ and not for ourselves. Any other way is evil. Let’s honor today the pledge we made to Christ; let’s live for Him and not ourselves, “In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.” ¹³ Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. ¹⁴ For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.” Romans 6:11-14.

Abba, what a beautiful thing You did for us through Jesus Christ. This New Covenant has set us free from sin and death, and allows us to have both the desire and the power to live righteously as we fellowship with You, learn from You, and trust You for every decision we make, from when to get up to when to go to bed; from what to read in Your Word to what to talk about with our friends; from what to wear to what to say–or not say. It’s all about the relationship! May we trust You more and more each day as we offer ourselves to You as slaves of Your righteousness. Who knew that being a slave would be so good?! I’m addicted, Lord. I need more of You. Today. All day. Amen.