November 12:
But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin,
you became obedient from the heart to that form of
teaching to which you were committed – Romans 6:17
Other than being “dead” in our sins, there is no richer
description of our utter helplessness in the face of our sin
than slavery. The slave could not own anything, but was
owned as property. The slave could not reap the benefit of
his work, but was forced to work nonetheless. The slave
had no legal standing, without any real hope of that
changing.
BUT…God, that is one of my favorite progressions in the
Bible. “But thanks be to God…” There is just something
astounding in this whole transaction. We were dead, but
God, being rich and mercy, made us alive. We were slaves
of sin, but we were bought and paid for with a great price.
God paid that price. He made our redemption possible. He
made our freedom from that enslavement to sin possible.
I cannot help but suspect that as you read those truths that
your heart beats a little faster. Your mind begins to revisit
that time when you first realized your desperation. You
realized how hopeless you were. BUT God, being rich in
mercy opened your eyes to His provision through Jesus
Christ.
Whether it was at an altar in a church, behind the wheel of
a car, kneeling by your couch or by your bed, you know
what it means to realize the end of desperation and
hopelessness that come through God alone. You have been
delivered from the domain of darkness and stand in
marvelous light. Thanks be to God that you became
obedient from the heart! Give Thanks!