Week 5 | Day 2
Set Free to Serve
Romans 6:15-23
In Romans 6:15–23 Paul answers the grace-abuser’s question: “Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace?” By no means. Whomever we present ourselves to obey becomes our master—either sin leading to
death, or obedience leading to righteousness. In Christ, we have been set free from sin and made slaves of God; the fruit of this new allegiance is holiness, and the end is eternal life. The old economy pays a wage—sin always pays in death. God’s kingdom doesn’t pay wages; but gives the gift—eternal life in Jesus our Lord.
Grace, then, isn’t permission to drift—it’s the power to choose what honors and glorifies God. The Spirit now enables us to say “no” to the flesh and “yes” to righteousness. We may still stumble, but we are no longer compelled to obey sin, nor are we subject to the ultimate penalty and punishment of the Law. Therefore, daily, even moment by moment, we must yield ourselves—mind, motives, and members—to the Holy Spirit to reap the fruit of a holy life.
death, or obedience leading to righteousness. In Christ, we have been set free from sin and made slaves of God; the fruit of this new allegiance is holiness, and the end is eternal life. The old economy pays a wage—sin always pays in death. God’s kingdom doesn’t pay wages; but gives the gift—eternal life in Jesus our Lord.
Grace, then, isn’t permission to drift—it’s the power to choose what honors and glorifies God. The Spirit now enables us to say “no” to the flesh and “yes” to righteousness. We may still stumble, but we are no longer compelled to obey sin, nor are we subject to the ultimate penalty and punishment of the Law. Therefore, daily, even moment by moment, we must yield ourselves—mind, motives, and members—to the Holy Spirit to reap the fruit of a holy life.
Application
1. Remember You have a New Master—Jesus
Begin each day confessing that you are in Christ and freed from sin’s rule—and that you now belong to God (see Romans 6:18). Allow your new identity to fuel your dependence and obedience.
2. Present All of Yourself to God—Hold Nothing Back
Consciously offer your eyes, ears, tongue, hands, schedule, and wallet as instruments of righteousness (see Romans 6:13). Remember that your obedience grows where availability is practiced.
3. Choose the Holy Spirit Over the Desires of Your Flesh
When temptation arises—pause and pray. Ask the Holy Spirit to see you through the temptation (see 1 Corinthians 10:13. Remember that—Greater is He in you than he who is in the world (see 1 John 4:4).
4. Pre-decide Your Yes
Decide in advance how you are going to respond in your common pressure points of temptation—that you’ll flee or fight in the Spirit—what truth you’ll speak and what good you’ll pursue.
5. Replace—Don’t Just Remove
When you put off sinful patterns put on righteous ones—Scripture, prayer, worship, serving others, etc.
6. Measure Fruit—not Feelings
Holiness grows like a harvest—gradual, observable, Spirit-produced (see Romans 6:22). Celebrate small obedience and look for a great harvest.
Begin each day confessing that you are in Christ and freed from sin’s rule—and that you now belong to God (see Romans 6:18). Allow your new identity to fuel your dependence and obedience.
2. Present All of Yourself to God—Hold Nothing Back
Consciously offer your eyes, ears, tongue, hands, schedule, and wallet as instruments of righteousness (see Romans 6:13). Remember that your obedience grows where availability is practiced.
3. Choose the Holy Spirit Over the Desires of Your Flesh
When temptation arises—pause and pray. Ask the Holy Spirit to see you through the temptation (see 1 Corinthians 10:13. Remember that—Greater is He in you than he who is in the world (see 1 John 4:4).
4. Pre-decide Your Yes
Decide in advance how you are going to respond in your common pressure points of temptation—that you’ll flee or fight in the Spirit—what truth you’ll speak and what good you’ll pursue.
5. Replace—Don’t Just Remove
When you put off sinful patterns put on righteous ones—Scripture, prayer, worship, serving others, etc.
6. Measure Fruit—not Feelings
Holiness grows like a harvest—gradual, observable, Spirit-produced (see Romans 6:22). Celebrate small obedience and look for a great harvest.
Closing Prayer
Lord, I confess that too often I try to live the Christian life in my own strength and fall into the clutches of sin. Forgive me. Today I surrender afresh to Your Word and Your Spirit. Lead my thoughts, words, and actions so that I choose righteousness over my flesh. Let the fruit You reap in me be holiness, and let my life point to the gift of eternal life in Christ Jesus my Lord. Amen.