Friday 19 April 2024
But now that you have been freed from sin and enslaved to God, the advantage you get is sanctification. The end is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (vs 22-23)
Background
Today slavery is a terrible reality, not just in the past but also in contemporary society. Paul's words must have had even more impact on his original hearers. Some of them were slaves, others thanked God for their freedom. All knew the extent to which slaves could be oppressed and dehumanised.
Paul uses the language of ‘slavery to sin’ to highlight the joy of escaping from a dictatorial, cruel controller. He could have spoken of freedom in Christ, but instead he describes Christians as ‘enslaved to God’. He hammers home the point that Christian freedom sits within the framework of obedience to God, expressed through careful observance of God’s teaching shared with us through Jesus. Our accountability to sin is replaced by accountability to God. Paul sets this image alongside the picture of ‘slavery to righteousness’ (v.18), identifying righteousness as the dominant power in a Christian’s life. He reminds us that we are also accountable to our fellow Christians. We reflect God’s presence to each other.
This way of speaking counterbalances the language of 'freedom in Christ' (eg John 8:36). Writing to the Christians in Corinth, probably earlier in his ministry, Paul highlighted the dangers of over-emphasising individual freedom and disregarding the needs of others in the community (1 Corinthians 10:23). Any community needs boundaries. For the Christian community, these are shaped by love for God and one another. Acknowledged parameters shape the ways in which any individual can behave, but enable every member of the community to flourish and bear the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22 -23). It is our accountability to God which enables our freedom; as the theologian Augustine put it "love and do what you will".
To Ponder:
- How do you express your accountability to God and others in your life of faith?
- The habits of righteousness can seem burdensome ("I hate recycling," one lady told me, "but I know it’s the right thing to do"). In a world where sin is still powerful, how best can we support each other in living with righteousness and joy?
Prayer
God of love, you have blessed us with the free gift of your grace. Help us to live as those who are set free from the power of sin. Support us as we share joyfully in the challenges of living as subjects of righteousness, accountable to you and your unending love for us. Amen.
Bible notes author: The Revd Dr Caroline Wickens
Caroline currently serves as Superintendent for the Manchester Circuit. She has previously worked in theological education in the UK and overseas, mainly teaching biblical studies, and enjoys exploring the ways in which theological studies interact with life in the circuit.