I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.
Rom 6:19
In a final interview with James Dobson, the serial killer Ted Bundy chronicled the choices he had made in his life that had led up to his execution day. He confessed that around 12 or 13 he found some “dirty magazines” in a dumpster behind a local grocery store. He had been raised in a Christian environment and knew better than to look at them, but this choice began a fascination that ended up in the murder of more than thirty young women. He had committed crimes that would have been unthinkable to him in earlier years, but as he repeatedly exposed himself to this dark world, his growing lust required him to go deeper and deeper into it.
Our text above reveals this pattern to be an accurate one of sin. As man continues to submit himself as a slave to unrighteousness, he becomes worse and worse. Little sins (of course, there are no “little” ones in the eyes of a holy God) give way to great sins. The depth of depravity that satisfied last year won’t quench the thirst for ungodliness this year. You may not go so far as to commit atrocious crimes against man like Bundy did, but there’s no doubt that in this continual pattern, the things you found offensive yesterday won’t be as repulsive tomorrow. Practicing lawlessness always leads to more lawlessness.
This pattern is not the Christian way of life. It was at one time when we were outside of Christ, but notice the “now” in our text: “now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.” You see, righteousness works the same way, but the effect is the reverse! As we continue to submit to righteousness, we become better and better! In fact, the verse doesn’t simply say that righteousness gives way to more righteousness but that it becomes holiness! And, isn’t that our goal? “…but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” (1 Pet 1:15-16) To be holy is to be like God!
You are not alone in this fight against sin, Christian. God is working in us! As Heb 13:21 testifies, the limitless God that displayed His great power in raising the Son from the dead is active in you to “make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ”. So, do right! You have the ability to do so now because Christ has set you free from sin and death! Be obedient to the Lord’s instruction. Be transformed, not conformed to the image of this world. (Rom 12:2) Die daily by denying yourself the desires of this flesh. (Mt 16:24-25) One day, you’ll wake up face to face with Jesus Christ, and guess what? You’ll be just like Him! “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” (1 Jn 3:2)
Jamie