Romans 6:20-23 says,...

Today's verses are Romans 6:20-23 which read,

20 - For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 
21 - Therefore what benefit were you then deriving from the things of which you are now ashamed?  For the outcome of those things is death. 
22 - But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life. 
23 - For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
  
A famous last verse that has some pretty cool verses that come before it that build it up to have that "punch" for the end of the chapter.  I think it might be good to make this into some type of chart as Paul is comparing two ways of life.  "Let's put these two side by side and see what your conclusion is" could be Paul's thought here.

Condition:  slave to sin (bondage to)
Freedom:  don't have to do what God says is right
Benefit:  ashamed of what you are doing
Result:  death

Condition:  enslaved to God (bondage to)
Freedom:  to not sin (God's help and protection and example)
Benefit:  sanctification (continual cleansing by God of you)
Result:  eternal life

One is focused all on me and the other is focused on God.  When you put them side by side, the decision seems like it should be so easy.  Can't you see it?  I guess the pull of sin is greater than just recognizing it and seeing it in black and white.  You see we can't do it by ourselves.  Just knowing it should lead to see that we need something or Someone beyond our knowledge to "save" us from sin.  We need to be "delivered" from this condition.

God sent His Son Jesus to this earth (we call it Christmas) to save us, sinners, and gave us the greatest gift of all.  Later in Romans we are instructed that in light of what God did, that we are to live our lives as "living sacrifices" for Him in response to that gift.

Kneel before that manger scene and thank Jesus for coming into your life this Christmas.  He gave you and is continuing to give you more than you could ever give Him back so you have a whole life to live back saying "Thanks!"
Pastor Adam
A simple man serving a great God and the local pastor of Stillwater Community Chapel (stillwater-chapel.org). We are in our 38th year of full time ministry. God directed us to this local body of believers on the Western Range of the Rockies to grow with them in mission and mindedness of Christ.

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