“But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.”
When I was a kid in elementary school, I had to wear a uniform. The uniform had a brown checkered shirt and brown jeans. Yes it was not fashionable and because we wore those uniforms I had no sense of what looked good. This is because when I was at school, all of the other kids wore the same uniform as I did. All of us had to wear them because it was the rule.
Part of my testimony is that when I became sold out to Christ, sin was not fun for me any more. It was like I had someone in my head telling me to act better, don’t cuss, and stop getting so angry plus many more ways my young life was steering out of line. In verse 17 Paul tells us that we have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. Just like we had to wear those uniforms while in school, the Holy Spirit has a claim on your heart and He wants your allegiance. That still small voice inside is the Holy Spirit telling you that you have an allegiance to Christ and that you no longer are a slave to sin. When you sin under this allegiance, it feels like you are that kid who did not wear the correct uniform and you see how your disobedience to Christ’s ways makes you feel. Instead of letting sin master over you, you have become a slave to righteousness where sin is out of fashion.
Where is your allegiance today? Are you still playing with sin and toying with it? Have you fully committed your life to Christ? If you have then sin is no longer fun. Your master, righteousness, is calling you out. If you feel that nudge then obey because that is the Lord talking to you. He will not keep you from sinning and you will reap what you sow. The difference is you know better now. The law of God is written on your heart and the Holy Spirit is your coach. In football when I screwed up in the game on Friday night I ran on Saturday and the whole week to come as well. I was still on the team but the running made me not want to screw up again. Are you sick of running from God? Your allegiance is with Christ. Your coach is the Holy Spirit. You wear the uniform. Sin is no longer your master, Christ is and we can rest on His grace and salvation through His blood.
Prayer: Father, before I committed my life to Christ, I was a slave to sin. Bound up and blinded by it. Now that I have given my life to you Lord, sin is no longer my master. The spirit of the living God lives inside of me and I am a slave to Christ. Help us listen to the the Holy Spirit and obey when He calls on us through the still small voice. I confess and declare that today, Jesus Christ is the center of my life and I have the grave robbing power of God inside of me through the Holy Spirit. Satan has no control over me! He is a defeated foe and I am victorious in Christ Jesus. Set apart, highly favored and lifted up, blessed coming in and blessed going out, I am a child of the living God and my citizenship is in heaven. Thank you Jesus for the grace and truth that guides my life. In Jesus name, amen.
Let It Go 
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