Living in the Spirit

June 26, 2020

Scripture Reading: Romans 6:12-23

What then? Should we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God that you, having once been slaves of sin, have become obedient from the heart to the form of teaching to which you were entrusted, and that you, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. I am speaking in human terms because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to greater and greater iniquity, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness for sanctification.—Romans 6:15-19

Recently, I had a conversation about tithing with a friend. She had received a letter from her church saying that it had not yet received her tithe as a reminder to send money. My church sends very business-like updates on the receipt of payment toward my pledge for tax purposes, so I did not think this action was particularly unusual. I had made a pledge and do work to meet it. Apparently, her faith group teaches the following of the tithe described in the Hebrew Bible. Her problem was that she does set aside a tithe but provides it to feed people on the street.

My mother, I think, was influenced by Paul after reading today’s scripture. For she taught us, we were to give our whole being to God’s service in everything we did, including supporting our church. I do think that is what Paul is addressing when he says you, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. We must do right, do justice in everything. Wearing masks during the COVID 19 pandemic is doing righteousness, loving our neighbor. There is no separation of church and self. We are individually a part of the Body of Christ and gain synergy in our efforts working within and among the whole Body of Christ.

I also think Paul used the word slave on purpose to get a rise out of his readers because, while some of them had been or were slaves, many were not. There is no privilege among those who make up the Body of Christ. We are all privileged to be in service to the Almighty God.

Prayer: Lord of Life, help us to see where we can do righteousness in everything we do to your glory. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.