Slaves

Romans 6:19 ... For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.

I used to find that the term "slaves" in the bible very difficult to comprehend. The message of the New Testament is being set free from sin through Jesus Christ who has died for us on the cross to redeem us, so why then does the word "slaves" appear in the very same book in the New Testament? And what does the term "slave" really mean here?

By our human nature, it is easier for us to sin than to be righteous. We were once slaves to sin, without realizing it. One of the definition for "slave" in my Oxford Advanced Learners' Dictionary is "a person who is completely dominated or influenced by something". For example, it is quite common nowadays for us to hear the term "fashion slave".

But now that we have believed in Christ, and walking in the newness of life (Romans 6:4), we are to be slaves to righteousness. To me, this means being dominated and influenced by all that is righteous. It also means taking the path of righteousness, whether we like it or not. After all, as a "slave", there is no choice but to obey.

To those who are result-orientated, which is the buzz-word nowadays in the corporate world, the results of being a slave to righteousness is fruit to holiness and everlasting life (Romans 6:22).

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