Slaves

Rom 6:15-20

15 What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! 16 Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, [1] you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17 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, 18 and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. 19 I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification. 20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.

Footnotes
[1] 6:16 Greek bondservants. Twice in this verse and verse 19; also once in verses 17, 20

• What do you feel when you hear the phrase "you are slaves ..."?
  
• What does it mean to be a slave to sin?
  
• What does it mean to be a slave to righteousness?
  
• What does it mean to be free from sin?
  
• What does it mean to be free from righteousness?
  
• Since no one can truly serve two masters, which will you choose to be: a slave to sin or a slave to righteousness?

Harold's Musings
In the Law of Moses, a Jew who had been the slave of another Jew had to be set free after working for six years. If the slave loved the master and did not want to go free, he was to present himself to the master and make his desire known. The master would take the slave to the doorpost of the master's house and make a hole in the slave's ear for an earring. The slave would now be a slave for life, but by his choice. (see Ex. 21:1-6, Deut 15:12-18). Do we really see ourselves as slaves to righteousness? How about we are friends of righteousness? Maybe we are acquaintances of righteousness?

Set apart for the Gospel

Rom 1:1-7

1:1 Paul, a servant [1] of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3 concerning his Son, who was descended from David [2] according to the flesh 4 and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, 6 including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ, 7 To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Footnotes
[1] 1:1 Or slave; Greek bondservant
[2] 1:3 Or who came from the offspring of David

• What is your definition of the gospel (good news)?
  
• What do you consider included and excluded in the good news?
  
• Why would Paul consider himself a bondservant [slave by choice] of Christ Jesus?
  
• According to this passage...
  - What had God promised through the prophets?
  - Who is the gospel about?
  - What two aspects of Jesus Christ does Paul point out?
  
• What was the purpose of the grace and apostleship of Paul?
  
• How is the obedience of faith brought about?
• Why were the Roman Christians called?
  
• Why is the name of Jesus Christ so important?