Romans 6:15-23 "Slaves to Righteousness

Romans 6:15-23 reveals the profound reality of what it means to live under grace rather than law. The question Paul anticipates—does grace give us license to sin?—is answered with a resounding “By no means!” True grace, rightly understood, never leads to more sin but instead transforms the heart, creating a new desire for obedience. The freedom Christ gives is not a freedom to return to old patterns of sin, but a freedom to willingly submit ourselves to a new master: righteousness. Just as in the ancient world, a servant might willingly enter a household for provision and care, so too do we, by God’s grace, become willing servants of Christ, finding our highest honor and joy in belonging to Him.

The Christian life is not a matter of external conformity or legalistic striving, but of a supernatural change wrought by God. We are not simply told to “try harder,” but are reminded that God has already changed our hearts, making us “obedient from the heart” to the pattern of teaching entrusted to us. This new obedience is not a grudging duty, but a delight that flows from a heart set free. The more we immerse ourselves in God’s grace, the more we find ourselves growing in righteousness and sanctification. The principle is simple but profound: whatever we sow, we will reap. If we continually give ourselves to the desires of the flesh, sin’s grip will only tighten. But if we submit ourselves to the Spirit and to God’s commands, we will see a harvest of righteousness.

Paul’s illustration of slavery is not to glorify the institution, but to make clear that everyone serves a master—either sin, which leads to death, or God, which leads to life. Radical autonomy is a myth; true freedom is found in joyful submission to Christ. The fruit of our old life was shame and death, but now, having been set free, the fruit is sanctification and eternal life. This is not just a future hope, but a present reality: eternal life begins now, as we live in the power of the Spirit, experiencing the abundant life Jesus promised.

The call is clear: examine who your master is. If you are still bound to sin, Christ offers freedom and new life today. For those in Christ, rejoice in the grace that not only forgives but transforms, and let that grace fuel your ongoing growth in obedience and joy.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Grace Does Not Lead to License, but to Transformation God’s grace, when truly understood, never encourages sin. Instead, it brings about a supernatural change in the heart, making obedience a delight rather than a burden. The more we grasp the depth of God’s grace, the more we are constrained—not by law, but by love—to live righteously. [05:20]
• 2. You Will Serve a Master—The Only Question Is Which One Paul’s illustration of slavery reminds us that radical autonomy is an illusion. Every person is either serving sin, which leads to death, or serving God, which leads to life. True freedom is not the absence of a master, but joyful submission to the One who gives life and purpose. [39:01]
• 3. Obedience Flows from a Changed Heart, Not Mere Willpower The Christian’s obedience is not a matter of external conformity or self-effort, but the result of God’s work within. We become “obedient from the heart” because God has given us new desires and affections. This is the difference between legalism and gospel-fueled living: we obey because we are loved, not to earn love. [23:07]
• 4. What You Sow, You Will Reap—Feed the Spirit, Not the Flesh The principle of sowing and reaping is inescapable. If we continually give ourselves to the desires of the flesh, sin’s power will grow stronger. But if we devote ourselves to the things of the Spirit—God’s Word, prayer, obedience—we will see a harvest of righteousness and increasing freedom from sin’s grip. [14:21]
• 5. Eternal Life Is Both a Future Hope and a Present Reality The gift of God is not only a promise for the life to come, but a present possession. Eternal life begins now, as we are set free from sin and empowered to live in joyful obedience. The grace that saves is the same grace that sanctifies and will carry us to the very end. [44:11]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:28] - Paul’s Q&A: The Problem of License
• [01:34] - Can Grace Be Overemphasized?
• [02:57] - Under Law or Under Grace?
• [04:13] - Natural Principles and Supernatural Realities
• [07:14] - The Illustration of Slavery
• [09:34] - Voluntary Servitude in Paul’s Day
• [10:26] - Spiritual Application: Who Do You Serve?
• [11:53] - Growing in Obedience
• [14:21] - The Principle of Sowing and Reaping
• [17:56] - The Battle with Sin and the Call to Repentance
• [21:54] - Obedience from the Heart: The Work of Grace
• [27:19] - The Pattern of Teaching and Its Importance
• [34:46] - Freed from Sin, Slaves to Righteousness
• [39:01] - The Myth of Autonomy and the Reality of Masters
• [41:56] - The Fruit of Sanctification and Eternal Life
• [43:10] - The Wages of Sin vs. The Gift of God
• [45:21] - Who Is Your Master?
• [46:14] - Invitation and Closing Prayer

Bible Reading

Romans 6:15-23 (ESV) —
> 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, 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. 21 But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Observation Questions

1. According to Paul, what is the result of presenting ourselves as slaves to sin versus presenting ourselves as slaves to obedience? (v.16)
2. What does Paul say has happened to those who were once slaves of sin? What is different about their obedience now? (v.17) [[21:54]]
3. In verse 19, Paul uses the illustration of slavery. What does he say we should now present our members (bodies) to, and what is the result? [[36:25]]
4. What contrast does Paul make between the “fruit” of our old life and the “fruit” of our new life in Christ? (v.21-22) [[41:41]]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Paul so strongly reject the idea that grace gives us permission to sin? How does he say true grace actually works in a believer’s life? [[05:20]]
2. The sermon says, “Radical autonomy is a myth; true freedom is found in joyful submission to Christ.” What does this mean in practical terms for how we live? [[39:01]]
3. Paul describes believers as “obedient from the heart.” How is this different from simply following rules or trying harder to be good? [[23:07]]
4. The principle of sowing and reaping is mentioned. How does this principle help us understand the consequences of our daily choices? [[14:21]]

Application Questions

1. The sermon says that grace doesn’t just forgive us, it transforms us. Can you think of a time when God’s grace changed your desires or actions, not just your status before Him? What did that look like? [[05:20]]
2. Paul says everyone serves a master—either sin or God. What are some “masters” (habits, desires, influences) that try to claim your loyalty? How can you recognize when you’re drifting back toward old patterns? [[39:01]]
3. The idea of being “obedient from the heart” means our motivation changes. Are there areas in your life where obedience still feels like a burden or duty? What might help shift your motivation from duty to delight? [[23:07]]
4. The sermon talks about sowing to the Spirit versus sowing to the flesh. What are some practical ways you can “feed” your spiritual life this week? Are there specific habits or influences you need to limit or remove? [[14:21]]
5. Eternal life is described as both a future hope and a present reality. In what ways have you experienced the “abundant life” Jesus promised, even in the midst of struggles? [[44:11]]
6. The call is to examine who your master is. Take a moment to honestly reflect: Is there an area where you are still living as if sin is your master? What would it look like to bring that area under Christ’s rule this week? [[45:21]]
7. The sermon says, “The more we immerse ourselves in God’s grace, the more we find ourselves growing in righteousness and sanctification.” What is one step you can take this week to immerse yourself more deeply in God’s grace—through prayer, Scripture, worship, or community? [[26:41]]