But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, Romans 6:17
A. Every Human Being is a Spiritual Slave
1. By birth, in Adam, enslaved to sin, death
Rom. 6:16a, Matt. 6:24
2. By new birth, in Christ, enslaved to obedience, righteousness
Rom. 6:16d
B. The Slave of Christ (Righteousness) Described
Rom. 6:17
1. The Controlling Attitude from Christ’s Slave: Giving Thanks
Rom. 6:17a, 1 Cor. 1:4, Eph. 1:15-16, Phil. 1:3-4, Col. 1:3, 1 Thess. 1:2, 2 Thess. 1:3, 1 Tim. 1:12, 2 Tim. 1:3, Phi. 4-5
2. The Change in Christ’s Slave
Rom. 6:17b, 1 Cor. 6:9-11, Ezek. 36:25-27
3. The Lifestyle of Christ’s Slave
a. Obedience to God’s Word: the will
Rom. 6:17, Rom. 1:5-6, Rom. 16:25-26, James 1:22
b. Wholehearted obedience to God’s Word: the heart
Rom. 6:17, Matt. 22:36-38, Eph. 3:14-17
c. Informed obedience to God’s Word: the mind
Rom. 6:17, Rom. 1:15-16, 1 Cor. 15:1-4