By Michael Youssef, Ph.D.

Read Romans 6:15-23.

If you think you can live a godly life by your own strength, you are in deep trouble. Although we play an important role in our sanctification and are commanded to obey the Lord, we cannot grow into Christlike people without depending on Christ Himself. Therefore, we must surrender completely to our rightful master and loving King—the Lord Jesus Christ.

Every person on the face of the earth has either sin or Jesus as their master. There are only two choices; there is no third. The question is Which master are you obeying?

Slavery to sin produces unbearable guilt here and now and eternal separation from God forever (see v. 21). In contrast, slavery to righteousness gives you freedom from guilt and shame and guarantees you eternal life (see v. 22). If you choose to serve sin, you will eventually receive the wages you deserve—judgment. But if you choose to serve God, He will give you the gift you could never earn—eternal life.

If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, the greatest gift you can give yourself is to remember today whom you serve. You are a slave to righteousness; you belong to the family of God. May you find grace at hand to live according to your blood-bought identity!

Prayer: “Search me, God, . . . See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24). I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life” (Romans 6:22).

Learn more in Dr. Michael Youssef’s sermon From Valley to Victory, Part 8: WATCH NOW | LISTEN NOW

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