Bound To God In Christ: Conclusion And Bibliography
Conclusion 2.5
It is a stark “reality” that all are spiritual slaves—“if” is not an option, only whom you serve. All of mankind has been bound to sin and death ever since the Fall. Slavery to sin plagues the entire world. Those who reject the Word of God remain slaves to sin. Yes, all men are slaves to sin and death, but, by the grace of God, there is another option. Since Jesus fully paid the redemption price for all, a blessed slavery becomes possible, one which really means belonging to God and His righteousness–nothing more or less. Those who receive grace, listen and respond to the Word of the crucified and risen Lord Jesus Christ and become slaves to God and His righteousness. Romans 6 contrasts the sinner in bondage to sin under the Law and the sinner/saint in bondage to Christ and righteousness under grace. In regard to the latter, Paul uses slavery language in both indicative and imperative statements for Christians to comprehend through faith.
Chapter one asserted that Paul’s slavery language should be understood in the context of slavery in the Greco-Roman era. That slavery reveals temporal worldly slavery and oppression from men. Slavery in the Old Testament was also evident among God’s people, especially when other nations enslaved Israel, such as the Egyptians and Babylonians. However, slavery in the Bible should not be simplistically equated to the American experience. Yet looking at slavery in the past and present helps us understand the reality of spiritual slavery.
Both the Old and New Testaments then speak of a spiritual aspect of slavery to sin and slavery to God. This thesis explores how worldly slavery both compares and stand in contrast with spiritual slavery to sin, as well as becoming enslaved to God and righteousness. Looking at slavery in the past, present, and future helps us understand the reality of spiritual slavery. However, slavery to God certainly is not equivalent to slavery around the world, then or now.
Chapter two depicted how spiritual slavery to sin aptly describes the condition of sinners. The slave to sin can only produce bad fruit (cf. Rom 6:21). And those enslaved to sin owe the payment of death (cf. Rom 6:23). As the slave to sin commits sin and evil deeds, the slave to sin is respondent and obedient to sin under Law (Rom 6:14). When under Law, the slave to sin is an instrument for unrighteousness (cf. Rom 6:13). All sinners are condemned under Law, and the payment of sin is death for the sinner forever.
Chapter three describes how those who were Baptized into Christ are justified and declared righteous. God’s declaration of righteousness for the ungodly sinner comes through Christ’s death and resurrection and is given in Baptism. Those Baptized into Christ Jesus are now under grace, freed from the reign of sin and living with Christ (cf. Rom 6:3-8). Paul says they are still slaves, but now of God and righteousness who live in sanctification now and forever. Thus we have seen that slavery language describes both the condemned slave to sin, and the slave of God in Christ who has been redeemed from the condemnation of sin in Baptism.
The sinner is freed from slavery to sin on account of Christ and declared righteous from sin. The sinner is dead, entombed, and raised with Christ in Baptism—having died, buried, and risen with Christ, stands justified and declared righteous from sin. The slave to sin has been freed from enslavement to sin and death, and becomes a slave to God. This involves a transfer of power, or being handed over (cf. Rom 6:17-18) to a new master, the Lord Jesus Christ. Redeemed slaves of God and righteousness are united and grow together in Christ’s death and resurrection under grace.
Chapter four presented what slavery to God and righteousness in Christ “looks like.” “Baptism ends the slavery (now), but begins the battle (not yet).”[1] Therefore imperative exhortations are given to those who live already now in Christ’s righteousness (cf. Rom 6:12-23). They are empowered by the indicative declarations of grace in Christ. The slave of God struggles with sin in the temporal body and is given the imperative to resist the reign of sin (cf. Rom 6:12). This struggle shows how the slave to Christ is simul iustus et peccator. The slave to Christ and righteousness responds positively to the indicative of grace as instruments of righteousness who are called to walk in life’s renewal (cf. Rom 6:4, 12-15). A Christian is a slave through vocational callings in life which serve and honor God by serving others. The slave to God in Christ produces fruit for sanctification (cf. 6:22) from the Holy Spirit which lead to eternal life.
In summary, Baptism and faith received in Christ forever seal, bind, and enslave the sinner to God and his righteousness. The slave to God has been forgiven of all sin, declared righteous and free from enslavement to sin on account of Christ. Those joyfully bound to God in Christ are responsive instruments of righteousness for now and forever.
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