ROMANS 6:15-18 APPRENTICESHIP To learn a craft or a particular skill, a person desires to join or present himself to one who already has proven himself skillful in that area of service. In that way, over a period of time, they not only learn the theory but also the finer points that can only be learned by experience. This second question, though similar to the one asked in verse 1, has to do with our service for God rather than our new life in Christ. It is possible for us to be saved and brought into the blessings of the Risen Christ, and not understand the terrible hold sin has on a person. The bondage of sin is as real as the guilt of sin. One may continue in sin and its slavery because our bodies are still subject to obey sin if we do not present ourselves as servants to obey righteousness.
We have the responsibility to make a serious decision in this case. Are we going to continue in the apprenticeship to sin or change our vocation to be apprenticed to righteousness? God who has saved us when we were presented with the Gospel, now wants us to present ourselves in the obedience of faith, to righteousness. We obeyed the doctrine of the Gospel, the pattern of teaching of salvation being provided by the work of Christ on the cross. We were handed over to that great doctrine of truth which we believed from the heart. Now we are free to continue to obey that truth and the righteousness produced as a result of it. We were handed over, or delivered over to the Gospel. We have been transferred to the teaching of the work of Christ on the cross that has brought us salvation. This is similar to the delivering of Israel over to Moses and the teaching of the law after it was given. Now we have been delivered over to this doctrine. Now we are to obey it as servants who are apprenticed to this great message.
It really is incumbent upon us to wholeheartedly give ourselves to love our Master, take His yoke upon us and learn of Him and from Him. By following Him, we will become skilled in the work of being "fishers of men," teachers of good things," "servants of God." This is not a half-hearted service with part of us serving sin and another part serving God. The freedom to serve righteousness opens to us a whole field of serving in the Gospel and all the blessing that accompanies that glorious message. What a great relief it is to be free from the bondage of sin! What a great privilege to be servants of righteousness!
I do have choices to live by in life, Even though I am a child of the King. It will always please God and will always be right, If my motivation is that I am able to bring Some spiritual benefit given in Christ's name That will bless others and be a blessing to God. The whole point of service is that in some way I am Able to pass on truth that will honor the Lord.
To be a servant of sin really is to deny What God intended when He chose to save me. From out of the abundance of the heavenly supply, Comes eternal blessings that the eyes of man cannot see. Servants of righteousness are not dealing with things That bring some aid or some temporary pleasure. We are to present truths to which faith can cling And they result in spiritual blessings people can treasure.
We have obeyed from the heart when faith in Christ was placed, The truth of the Gospel to which we were delivered. The path of righteousness is easy for us to trace; Now to this service we can give our full endeavor. Into Christ's death we were buried in our baptism That severed our link to the power of sin. Now the fact is that in Christ we now have risen And our life is lived serving righteousness for Him.
This divine nature that has made us now to be free From being servants to sin and its claims;
Challenges us that our genuine commitment will be To be servants of righteousness in the power of Christ's name. As a servant I need to act confidently in faith - Not to linger or serve in a half-hearted way. Through the Holy Spirit's power may I serve with grace, And enthusiasm that continues day after day.
"Gracious God and Father: may this time of service we are involved in presently be able to bring blessing to others, honor to Thee and fruit that will last to Thy glory. May the ministry given produce righteousness that will strengthen Thy work here and in each place we will be. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."