Romans 6:17-18, With Much Thanksgiving
Romans 6:17-18 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
The Apostle Paul speaks with a sense of relief for the great grace of God upon the Christians in Rome. The ravages of sin in their lives were broken by the power of the gospel. It is truly a matter worthy of thanksgiving.
He must have observed the blessed transformation in the lives of these Christians. When they were willing to follow the instructions of Scripture, they found the strength to live holy lives – being freed from sin, they became servants of righteousness.
The president of Uganda was surrounded by ten soldiers with machine guns. They were there to execute him. They asked him for his last word before they finished him off. He paused and said, “I am already dead and my life is hidden in Christ, but you are dying in your sin I would like to pray for all of you.” Upon hearing that, the soldiers lowered their guns one by one and everyone asked him to pray for them. This testimony was recorded in the book “A Distant Grief”.
Where did he get the courage and the calmness at gunpoint to say those loving words? How is it that he can be more concerned for the souls of his adversaries than his own life? Dear friends, except a man, live in Christ and for Christ. He cannot do that, it is impossible to display such divine Christ-like disposition. Under this most trying of circumstances, this Christian president was a servant of righteousness.
This president must have felt toward these repentant soldiers those same feelings the Apostle Paul articulated in these verses for the Christians in Rome. With much thanksgiving, the Apostle Paul commended these Christians in Rome, acknowledging God’s gracious dealings with them and the spiritual progress they have made. Can he say the same for the Christians here in Singapore? May this be our testimony too. Amen.