Romans 6:20

SLAVES OF SIN

‘When ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.’

Romans 6:20

St. Paul encourages the Christian to remember the bondage of sin, that he may appreciate the blessings of redemption. The assertion is made of the Roman Christians that such had been their condition. And it has been ours, for all have sinned.

I. What is the slavery of sin?

(a) It is the subjugation of the whole nature—of the soul first, and then of the body, which is the instrument of the soul.

(b) It is subjection to the condemnation of the law. Sin is the transgression of the law.

(c) It is rebellion against the rightful Governor.

II. What are its results?

(a) It brings its own punishment in the habit and love of sinning.

(b) It incurs God’s displeasure.

(c) It involves condemnation.

Illustration

‘Slaves who came to the English settlement for shelter had had cruel task-masters; wounds caused by chains were on their wrists and ankles, bruises from heavy burdens on their shoulders. We have been “tied and bound with the chain of our sins”; we know the heavy weight of some sinful habit, that seemed pleasant enough at first, but grew into a chain that cuts and wounds us. But our Redeemer waits to set us free from the task-master, and shows the price of His most precious blood.’