Gift of Life as a Result of Being a Slave to Obedience

“¹⁶Do 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?” — Romans 6:16 (ESV)

The word slave conjures up a lot of controversy in society today. I want to put it out there to ensure that I am clear in that I am not drawing ire as I do understand the controversy. Paul is speaking to how we live our lives and what it is that we allow to master our lives.

We have a choice as to which we allow to take the lead in our lives, sin or obedience. The choice is an easy one, yet the result is drastically different and will impact in profound ways. When we select to be a slave to sin, we are running toward lawlessness and think in selfish terms as we go through this world. When we select to be a slave to obedience, we are running toward the LORD and that which He has for us, righteousness.

“¹⁹I 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.” — Romans 6:19 (ESV)

On the surface, sin may seem like a natural choice to fit in this world and be accepted by society as one of the group. The problem with it is that the group and society are lost in sin and are on their way to death and destruction as noted by Paul in verse 16 that I have quoted above. Society is ruled by the evil one and he is leading the way to destruction.

I chose to be a slave to obedience and therefore lead to eternal life with Christ. No, it is certainly not easy and I will stumble and fall, yet the end result is movement toward Christ and the glory of heaven is confirmed as my home.

“²²But 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. ²³For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” — Romans 6:22-23 (ESV)

Notice the shift in focus here from being a slave to obedience to being a slave of God. I know it may seem a bit strange to accept, and my first paragraph speaks to what we allow to master our lives as opposed to who masters. But look at my previous sentence and that paragraph and the use of the word “allow”. The key thing for me is that it is a choice as to being a slave in this instance. I choose to be a slave to obedience and subsequently a slave of God. I want it to be so and I embrace it as I know the end result is that of eternal life with Him in heaven.

What is it that you are a slave? Are you living your live to serve society and allowing sin to be your master? What if you accepted obedience and allowed yourself to be a slave to it and subsequently being led to righteousness and eternal life in heaven?

One Sin, Followed by Death, One Gift Accepted, Followed by Life

The title is correct and yet may be a bit confusing for some, and I have to say that it took me a minute to get through it so that I could share my thoughts.

Let me start with the first part of the title, “One Sin, Followed by Death”. You see, it was Adam and Eve who committed the first sin. They ate from the “Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil” and as such disobeyed the one thing that God had prohibited of them. They sinned one time and that sin lead to sin of all and lead to the death of all (here in this world). Had they not sinned then they would have been companions to one another and to God, likely for eternity in this world in the Garden of Eden. Yet, their one sin started the ball rolling for all of us to be sinners and subsequently dying in this world.

“¹²Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned” – Romans 5:12 (ESV)

Then there is the gift of salvation from God to us, “One Gift Accepted, Followed by Life”. The sin committed by Adam and Eve led to the sin of all, the gift of salvation, where offered to all, is only for those who accept the gift. I know that is hard, yet as I think of my study of the word “gift”, I am reminded that everyone is given the opportunity to accept the gift and where all my receive it, all will not accept. For those who do accept, they are granted eternal life once again that eluded them thanks to the sin of Adam and Eve.

“¹⁵But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many.” — Romans 5:15 (ESV)

Yes, both sin and the gift of salvation were the results of one man’s actions, Adam and Jesus, there are very different paths to the impacts of those. Sin is passive and all of us are sinners as a result of the actions of Adam. The gift of salvation is active and all who accept the gift are saved as a result of the action of acceptance of that gift provided by the actions of Jesus. I have to remember the active part of the equation and take that into my day to day to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to hear and accept and not just expect that everyone has or will at some point. I have to be the conduit by which everyone receives the gift and has the chance to accept and therefore lead to life eternal.

How did you come to be a sinner? Are you even aware that you are a sinner due to the actions of one, Adam? What if you accepted the gift of salvation, knowing that it is due to the actions of one, Jesus?

Gift for All Even as All are Sinners

“²³for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” — Romans 3:23 (ESV)

Here is the beginning of the “Roman Road to Salvation” as it is sometimes known. This is where it all starts in our movement to the gift of salvation from the LORD. What I see is that there is no discrimination as to who has sinned, it is identifying everyone. No matter who you are, where you come from, or what you have done, we are all sinners and fall short of a right relationship with God.

“²⁴and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,” — Romans 3:24 (ESV)

And yet, we are ALL presented the gift of salvation. Not just those deemed “worthy” by the law or by others. ALL are presented the gift from God. Boy am I glad that I fall into the ALL.

I am part of the ALL as a sinner and a receiver of the gift of salvation. As noted in the title of this blog, ALL are sinners and ALL receive the gift. But, not all will accept. The gift was/is presented to everyone and everyone has the opportunity to accept, yet not all will.

I was presented the gift and accepted. And that is the key thing here for me to remember. I was presented the gift of salvation and in order to be saved, I had to accept. I could not just receive it and then throw it under the seat of the truck, I have to keep it in plain view and remember it was given and I actively received it. I announced that I had received through baptism and I have to continue to announce it daily as the reminder that I did accept and have a responsibility to Christ as a result.

The gift of salvation is one that is freely given to ALL and ALL have the chance to receive it as well as accept. This is not dependent on and status of actions completed or righteousness under the law or right living standards. We are ALL sinners, regardless of where or what we come from. We are not excluded from the opportunity. Salvation is the free gift and for ALL to accept.

What are your thoughts on your status as relates to the gift of salvation? Are you aware that you are a sinner and yet the gift is for you as well? What if you came to the LORD and held out your hands and accepted the free gift of salvation given to you knowing that it is for ALL and you fall into that ALL?

God’s Gift to Give, Not Mine

I am continuing my study of the word “gift” and this morning was again in the book of Acts where I was reminded that the gift of salvation is from God to those in need. The disciples were recruited by Jesus and were saved as a result of the gift He had for them. And God provides the same gift for others as well. The passage I read this morning is of Peter discussing his spending time with those deemed unclean. He explains that he was doing the will of God and was presenting the gift to them so that they would have the opportunity to accept it themselves.

“¹⁵As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning. ¹⁶And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ ¹⁷If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God’s way?” — Acts 11:15-17 (ESV)

The takeaway this morning is that I am to do the will of God in all that I do. I am to go where He wants me to go. I am to present His gift to all and those who accept will join Him in heaven and will also go and do all that He has asked. They to will present the gift to others as they are afforded the opportunity to accept and be saved.

I am but a conduit for the gift to be presented. It is not my gift to give, I am only the vessel from which the gift is presented. God’s gift of salvation is His and I as well as all that choose to accept, are the presenters of His gift to others in need.

What is your thought with regard to the gift of salvation? Are you of the impression that the gift is yours to give? What if you recognized that the gift is God’s and you are the one presenting that gift to those in need?

Receive and Accept the Gift

Receive: to come into possession of: acquire

Accept: to receive (something offered) willingly

— Merriam-Webster Online

I lead this morning with the two definitions above to give a little more understanding into the difference in Peter’s words and what we do.

“³⁸And Peter said to them, ‘Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’” — Acts 2:38 (ESV)

Peter is speaking to the group and explaining to them that they should repent of their sins and be baptized to receive the gift of salvation. Notice that he gives them an action to perform before receiving, which would indicate to them that they have to be willing to receive and therefore will be able to “accept” the gift, and not just receive. He was responding to their question of what to do to receive the gift.

“³⁷Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’” — Acts 2:37 (ESV)

I have to remember that receiving something is passive and really without meaning. All can receive something, whether on the street from someone, the words given in a gathering, ticket stubs at an event, or many other things. But accepting is active. I have to be willing to receive for there to be meaning. I have to want that which is given and even ask for it in certain circumstances; the ticket to the concert (and attend), Prayer, and Salvation. And now I have accepted the gift.

Christ has a gift for all, and it is freely given and everyone can receive that gift. Yet, there are those who will receive and tuck it away without thinking twice about it. For those, the gift was simply received and holds little to no value. Then there are those who actively and willingly receive or accept the gift Christ has given. For them, there is value beyond belief.

“⁴²And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. ⁴³And awed came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.” — Acts 2:42-43 (ESV)

What have you received and yet not accepted? Have you missed out on something great as you have not willingly received? What if you asked for Salvation and accepted the gift freely given as opposed to simply receiving without action?

Reconcile Then Bring Your Gift to God

I have shifted from studying the word word “works” to the word “gift”. This morning I was taken to a passage that was a bit unexpected, Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount as He speaks about anger. Gifts and anger, what would God have for me this morning. Well here are the verses dealing with gifts.

“²³So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, ²⁴leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” — Matthew 5:23-24 (ESV)

Jesus reminds me here to be sure that I am fully reconciled before I bring my gift to Him. My heart must be clear of any of the distractions and aches that will cause me to remove my eyes from Him even for a moment. That requires that I have nothing hanging over me and that I am able to engage with Him and Him alone.

I am especially fond of the first part of verse 24, “leave your gift there…and go”. I know that I have this innate drive to finish one thing before moving on to the other and just leaving something to go to something else seems a bit counter productive. The thing is, I have left the issue with another undone and moved on to bringing a gift to God. I have proceeded contrary to my own innate drive.

I must get back to the place where I am not leaving anything undone before moving to the next. I have to remember to reconcile and then move to the next. I have to get my heart right before coming to the Lord with my gift. I have to remember that by getting right with others, I am taking the self out of the equation. I am not doing it for me, although I benefit from a right heart, I am doing it for the other to show my repentance and demonstrating the example of Christ.

Jesus reconciled with the people before He was put to death and became the gift of sacrifice. There was nothing left undone that was not to be left undone. He completed His work to that point and moved on to the next which was dying on the cross for each of us, the ultimate gift of selflessness.

I am bound to God through the gift of salvation and I am due to gift back to Him. I have to remember to leave nothing undone and no reconciliation incomplete. I have to get right before I gift to the LORD.

How are you coming to the alter? Are you coming with things left undone? What if you completed all thing and was fully reconciled so that you come to the LORD with a clear heart and a beautiful gift?

Good Works are Coming, Be Ready

I never know when I am going to have the opportunity to witness to and influence someone. I may not even know in the moment or unless they indicate that to me later. Recently someone reached out to me, out of the blue, asking for my thoughts on a particular subject, I provided my thoughts and then she told me she appreciated the learning I had provided her. I asked what it was and she proceeded to tell me. Now it is something that I indicate all the time and have not been told of the impact it has on others until this time. I was taken aback in the moment as I was finally recognized for the impact even as I did not even know of the impact.

All of the above is to again say that we really do not know when we are going to have the opportunity to impact another, and sometimes the work we do that seems to go unnoticed actually has a profound impact. I have to be ready for those moments and stay with the works for Christ, round the clock.

“¹Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,” — Titus 3:1 (ESV)

Paul, speaking to Titus, indicates that we are to be at the ready at all times. The good works that are presented to us may come on quickly and if we are not ready, we may miss that which God has planned for us to complete. I have accepted Christ and been justified, now is the time for me to do the work and that will require for me to be seeking it out and ready for when it is presented.

I have to prepare. I know, if I don’t know what the work is, how can I prepare? I have to stick to the basics and that is to be aware and be the example of Christ at every turn. I have to live out the fruit of the Spirit in all that I do and that is where my preparation lies.

“²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. ²⁴And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ²⁵If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. ²⁶Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.” — Galatians 5:22-26 (ESV)

Paul again indicates to be ready with the fruit of the Spirit. In doing so, we are able to “keep in step with the Spirit” and align ourselves with the work that God has for us. We will be ready to take on that which is presented and do so more as Christ would and be the example for others to see.

What is your approach to what is to come? Are you just working from moment to moment and waiting for the next thing to drop? What if you were to prepare, knowing the next work will be coming soon and when it does, you are ready to do the work of/for Christ?

Be the Example

Ever notice that in society, the prevailing theme is to be seen. And think about that which is thought to be of importance: silly dances, hacks to life, sensationalism, and the like. What has the world come to that all of that is what is important in the lives of people.

“⁷Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, ⁸and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.” — Titus 2:7-8 (ESV)

Now that is what I am talking about. Paul points out to Titus that is “good works” and “integrity, dignity, and sound speech” we should be concerning ourselves with. And, it is not “to be seen”, but rather to be the example of what right is. It is this example that sets us apart from the world and not the ability to be seen as the silly dancer or hack or somehow more sensational. I have to remember that the LORD has tasked me with bringing the gospel to the world and doing so as His example.

“¹¹For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, ¹²training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, ¹³waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, ¹⁴who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.” — Titus 2:11-14 (ESV)

God has prepared me to complete the tasks He has for me, and it is my duty to follow through with that duty and do so as His example. He has provided for me the framework and the direction and the skills, and has instructed me to just do the work. I am to follow His lead and be an example to others, through my actions and not through the attention grabbing antics of the world. I am to be “zealous for good works”, not seeking for the world to know me, but they will know of my works and of God.

What are you seeking in this world? Are you looking to be seen as the silly dancer, life hacker, or sensationalist? What if you focused on being a zealot for good works as an example of Christ and simply spread the gospel as God has instructed and allowed the glory to be received by Him?

Works Now, Grace Before I Began

This morning I am looking at another realization as I study “works”. Grace was granted by God well before I began. Yes, I know, I have looked at that grace comes before works as I am not able to “earn” my way to salvation from works, the works are a demonstration of my salvation given by God through grace and my faith in Him. But His grace predates my existence here in this world.

“⁸Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, ⁹who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,” — 2 Timothy 1:8-9 (ESV)

Paul has written to Timothy 2000 years ago and he indicates that God provided grace “before the ages began”. I came along in the now, relatively, and that puts me even further out from when grace was given. Therefore grace did come well before I began and my works are only a result of that grace.

The thing that I have learned, or was reminded and realized is that God’s grace was eternal and will be eternal. He gave it long ago for those who would receive and will continue to give to those who did receive and have yet to receive. It is faith in His grace where I have to remember to reside and do the works to demonstrate that faith in His grace.

Now that I have learned or reminded and realized of God’s grace well before I began, it is important that I remember it as I progress forward in this world and lean on His grace for all of my actions and works. I have to guard against being influenced by the world and falling into the trap of trying to “earn” my way. I have to trust Him and follow His direction.

“¹³Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. ¹⁴By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.” — 2 Timothy 1:13-14 (ESV)

Where are you leaning as you move forward? Are you leaning on the now with the works that you are doing and trying to earn your way? What if you realized that you have already received the grace that was given you even “before the ages began”?

Be Rich in Good Works

“¹⁷As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. ¹⁸They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, ¹⁹thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.” — 1 Timothy 6:17-19 (ESV)

There is nothing wrong with being rich. The thing is where are you placing your trust and worth, in the monetary things of this world or in the riches to be gained in heaven. There are plenty of people in this world who are monetarily rich and no one knows because they are not out there in the world pronouncing their riches. They are the ones out there doing the work of Christ and using their monetary wealth to enrich others through their work. These people are doing good and are rich in good works as Paul indicates in the above verses.

Yes, there are those who are in it for themselves and are building up wealth in this world and fully self absorbed in it all. These are the ones out there pronouncing their riches for the world to see and throwing around a few things in full view of the media to be seen as somehow the picture of generous and caring, when in reality the percentage of themselves and their wealth being spread is almost indiscriminate compared to others. These are the rich Paul warns about in the above verses.

I have to look at myself and wonder where I fall in this riches conversation. I am not “rich” by monetary standards, but do feel rich in the fear of the LORD and with my family and that which is here in my immediate world. I have a church where I feel compelled to serve, even in what may seem like a role that gets little to no notoriety, breaking down the building to which we worship. Yet, I do not look to this role as minuscule, it is a vital part of the church and my service to the LORD. I may not have all the riches as one would think, yet I am rich in the LORD.

I have to continue to rely on God and the riches He provides. And “do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share”. I may not have the financial ability to share greatly, but I do have time and effort that I can share and I have to be generous. It is not the substance of the gifts, but the attitude of the gift that means something and I have to remember that I am rich, at least rich in good works.

What do you provide for others as you walk through this world? Are you looking to be the one that provides monetarily and struggle with the amount you have and or can/will give? What if you realized that God provides for you to be rich and you can share your riches of good works with the world?