Ever-Increasing Wickedness, or Holiness?

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Romans 6:19 I put this in human terms because you are weak in your natural selves. Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness.     Thoughts for Today:   In the Roman Empire, slavery was a very common practice. In fact, history tells us that in Paul's day over one half of the population were slaves. I think it is one of the reasons why Paul says: "I put this in human terms..." Rather, in words his audience can relate to. Many Americans have difficulty understanding what it means to be a slave. In our society it has become a foreign concept. We place an incredibly high value on freedom and independence. In John 8:31-34, Jesus spoke to the Jews who had believed him. He said: "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." They responded, "We are Abraham's descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?" Sounds a little bit like Americans, doesn't it? Prideful in their freedom, yet not realizing how sin has placed us all in bondage. A slave doesn't have much difficulty understanding what it means to serve the master's will -- freemen sometimes do. A freeman thinks every decision he makes is of his own will; he foolishly discounts the effect of the sinful nature. Or as Paul puts it: "you are weak in your natural selves". So it doesn't matter if we are free men in our society or not -- we are still slaves. The choice is: Are we slaves to impurity and ever-increasing wickedness, or to righteousness which leads to holiness?     Questions to Ponder:   Do you truly seek freedom?   Jesus told us: "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."   Jesus is truth and only He can set us free from slavery to sin.   Will you accept His freedom today?