Scripture
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.

Observation
Paul is very insistent that grace is not to be taken as a licence to sin. Sin is no longer our master because we live under the freedom of grace. Therefore we have the responsibility to ensure that every part of our life honours God.

We can choose to obey sin or to obey God, but whichever we choose will have mastery over us. Sin will lead us to death but obeying God will lead us into righteous living.

We are free from the power of sin ans slaves of God. While sin pays the inevitable wage of death, God brings us the free gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ.

Application
When we were saved it was not a salvation for the future. Salvation is meant to result in a changed life now.

Sin is so intrusive in our life that it holds us in slavery. The habits of our unregenerated mind hold us in bondage.

Anger can be a habit. Lust can be a habit. Lies are a habit.

Until we make a break with the past learned behaviour patters and allow the Holy Spirit to reform our habits we remain enslaved to sin.

We can choose to be slaves to righteousness and life or to be slaves of sin and death.

Either way we will serve a master.

Prayer
Today Lord I choose the life of your righteousness. Holy Spirit convict me of my sin and give me the grace to break the chains that hold me captive to the habits of sin. Make me pure like Jesus. Amen.