I think one of Paul’s most powerful word pictures is his illustration of how sin is slavery. This resonates with us on a whole new level because we long to be free.
You see, in our society, we want to be free, and we think that freedom is freedom to do what is right in my own eyes, to live the way I want to live, free from any restriction on my individual choice. Freedom is freedom to belong to myself. Freedom means having no lord or master. But Scripture shows you over and over again that this definition is impossible. You are either a slave to God, or you are a slave to something else, but you are never your own. There is no in between.
As Bob Dylan put it, “You’re gonna have to serve somebody.”
Paul writes: “Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey?” (6.16)
Everyone serves somebody or something. You have the choice whom you will serve, but you’re gonna have to serve somebody. This is a choice that each person must face: whom will you serve?
Christ is the only lord and master who comes to set you free from your slavery to fear, to shame, to the approval of people. Jesus is the only lord and master, the only king who comes not to be served but to serve. Jesus is the only king who dies for his servants. He is the king who we long for. Two thousand years ago he came for us: he lived, suffered, died and rose again to win our hearts once and for all.
Lord, so often I sell myself back into slavery to lesser masters. Set my heart free again today by your grace. Amen.
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