Unashamed Reading Plan
Check out all the previous Unashamed readings here.
Unashamed Reading Plan | Week 6 | Day 1
Prayer
As you come to spend time with Jesus, calm your mind and body until you feel fully present. Ask Him to teach you more about Himself today.
Bible Reading: Romans 6:15-18
Read these verses three times slowly.
What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means! Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.
Reflection & Questions
Paul has shown in Romans so far that we are no longer under the Law – because of what Jesus has done, it can no longer condemn us. We are now under grace – the freedom and forgiveness in Christ. So Paul anticipates that we might wonder, “Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace?” Doesn’t being under grace mean we can just keep on sinning? No! Grace doesn’t give us an excuse to sin, but it gives us the reason and the power to obey.
We used to be “slaves to sin”, as we yielded to our desires and got ever more stuck with it. But we’ve been freed from that, and the believer enthusiastically embraces the thought of living for the Lord. So much so that Paul can say we are “slaves to righteousness.”
That’s how the Christian is to live. As one “set free from sin” and now enthusiastically embracing a life of righteousness for Jesus.
- What kinds of ways has sin enslaved you before (or even after) you came to Christ?
- Are you living in freedom from sin and pursuing righteousness? Why or why not? Talk to God about that.
Prayer
Pray in response to today’s reading.
Worship Song
You might use this song today to worship Jesus today:
Bible Reading: Romans 6:15-18
Read these verses three times slowly.
What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means! Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.
Reflection & Questions
Today’s verses use the word “slave” a lot. We often think of that in a very negative way. And in one way, it most definitely is! When you are a slave to sin, it will lead to a terrible end – death. When we decide to be okay with sinful choices, it will never end well. In that way we are a slave to sin when we choose to make bad choices in our lives. It will run our life and not in a good way.
It’s easy to think that because we have this gift of grace, we can do whatever we want, whenever we want because it doesn’t really matter – our sins are always going to be forgiven. But the truth is this: Grace does not give us an excuse to sin, but it gives us the reason and the power to obey!
When you truly understand what an amazing gift it is to have your sins forgiven, then you won’t want to let those sins run your life anymore. Afterall, they don’t lead anywhere good. You will turn right around and follow Jesus because He’s got the right answers.
So Paul asks this question: “Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey – whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?” Which would you choose: a life that will lead to death or a life that will lead to righteousness?
- When you think of being a slave to sin, can you think of one particular temptation and sin that you want freedom from?
Pray
Ask God to help you with the sin that you are struggling with. Thank Him for his forgiveness!
Check out more Bible Reading Plans here.
Questions?
Ed Applegate
