Romans 6:18 (NIV) You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.

It took faith in God’s ability to forgive us of our past, present, and future sins. That was a vital moment as we took our first spiritual step and believed in God’s power to forgive us. Our next major step in the spirit realm is a step of faith as we believe that God is able to enslave our body so we become able to make it start treating ourselves and others in a loving and gracious way (righteousness). When we take this step of faith, it gives us God’s power to start on a spiritual growth path (sanctification).

Unlike salvation, sanctification is a journey. Salvation was an event; we got saved. There was a moment when we were completely forgiven for ALL our sins. But, becoming a slave to righteousness (sanctification) is a process of wanting, studying, praying, believing, using God’s love, learning how to apply it to our lives, and learning how to minister or share it with others.

The Bible goes on to say in the next verse: Rom 6:19 (NIV) 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. Since you now have the Holy Spirit living in you, He has given life to your physical body (Romans 8:11). You can take your “want” and add faith in the power of Jesus’ life and you will be able to start ministering to the people around you.

The new life you will start living through the power of Jesus’ life will turn into thoughts, feelings, words, and deeds that help hurting people. The things you say and the things you do will be a constant blessing to you and those around you. Your love, joy, and peace will so change your character that you will start being patient, kind, good, and gentle to yourself, and everyone you come in contact with. You will be faithful to Jesus and you will allow Him to bring you into self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

Rom 6:20 (NIV) When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the CONTROL of righteousness. You “ministered ” bad things to yourself and others and you failed to “minister” good things to yourself and others. Now, through being united with Jesus in His death AND being united with Him in His resurrection, You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness (Rom 6:18).

Remember how you used to offer your body to impurity and ever-increasing wickedness? 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 (Rom 6:19b).

JUST AS you used to use your mind to think of things to go do that were worldly and sinful, use your mind to think of things to do that are Godly and good. JUST AS you used to go places where you could sin and do things that were against God’s Word, now take your body and go places that will bless you and will minister to those around you.