Romans 6:17-19

In 1979 Bob Dylan was in the midst of a faith quest. During this time, he deeply explored and adopted many Christian principles before returning later to Judaism. In the midst of his search, he recorded the song, “Gotta Serve Somebody,” unequivocally claiming:

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Hello, this is Dr. Bill Branks, author of Love the Word. Today's text is Romans 6, verses 17 to 19. 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. 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. In 1979, Bob Dylan was in the midst of a faith quest. During this time, he deeply explored and adopted many Christian principles before returning later to Judaism. In the midst of his search, he recorded the song, Gotta Serve Somebody, unequivocally claiming, You're gonna have to serve somebody. Yes, you're gonna have to serve somebody. Well, it may be the devil, or it may be the Lord, but you're gonna have to serve somebody. Bob's not wrong. We are all ruled, directed, influenced, and guided by someone or something more powerful than ourselves. Even if you foolishly submit to your own gut feelings, it is inescapable. We gotta serve somebody. True autonomy is unachievable and its pursuit dangerous. No one can or should be independent in mind and judgment or completely self-directed. We can rebel against this fact and lead an unfulfilling, chaotic life, or we can choose whom we will serve wisely. Paul returns often to this truth. He reiterates we are either slaves to sin or obedient from the heart to the true gospel, the way of righteousness. We must abandon our voluntary enslavement to sin in order to be set free from sin. We can only do this by being committed to the teachings of Scripture and obeying it. We are replacing one ruler for the true ruler. However, we are not just replacing one behavior for another. When we are obedient from the heart, it changes who we are, not just what we do. It informs and matures us in Christ. So we serve joyfully and never resent being called slaves of righteousness. Paul writes, I am speaking in human terms because of your natural limitations, their natural limitations were likely their view of slavery. Slavery as an institution had a terrible reputation. Some were treated well, as employees and valued servants. If Paul was trying to entice these Romans to fully surrender to Christ using slavery as something to strive for, it was not going to work. Most slaves would have been discouraged and offended by Paul's use of slave because they only saw slavery as highly repugnant. We do too. It is hard for us to view slavery outside of the very narrow perspective that has been etched into our conscience for 150 years. In our minds, slavery stands for oppression, loss of freedom, inhumane treatment, suffering, bondage, hatred, and ultimately death. When Paul uses phrases like become slaves of righteousness, perhaps we wish he had phrased it differently. But slavery is a near perfect illustration of our new life in Christ, with some significant modifications, of course. A poorly treated slave held against their will would say this about their life and master. I must serve no other. I am wholly owned. I must submit to you unconditionally. I must accept your authority. I am owned and controlled by my master. My labor is not for my benefit but for my master's. But every born again Christ follower would say this is what they strive for in their relationship with Christ. What is the difference? The master. The master you choose to serve determines your heart path and a life that leads to sanctification. Christ the Master rules without using fear, pressure, punishment, or dependence. It is your choice. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, Paul declares that you willfully submitted to sin's rule, which is the way of destruction, so now Paul implores. Present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification. Why not willfully submit to God's way to eternal life? A slave for Christ is complete submission and obedience to him, knowing that he upholds, protects, loves, and pours into us nothing but good. I'll gladly and with honor wear the name of slave of righteousness and rejoice in it. Christ was our example when he wholly submitted to the pain and humility of the cross. He was treated worse than any slave ever. He did not view it as bondage or merciless dominance. He knew that his submission brought glory to God. There is no shame or humiliation in presenting yourself as a slave to righteousness since it leads to sanctification, the process of becoming Christ like. God's greatest desire for us is to be like him. So go ahead, call me a slave.