Romans 6:22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.
The choice to die to the old life symbolized in baptism opens the way to the new life of righteousness. The basic requirement is to identify with Christ in death. Without death there is no resurrection and new life. Being free from sin is how believers ought to live. We must become slaves of God is we want to know what genuine freedom is all about. The result of slavery to sin is struggle, pain, sorrow, and ultimately, God’s wrath. The “fruit” of total commitment to God is sanctification. The assumption here is that this is “entire” and complete. It is the only pathway to eternal life. It is not for “super Christians” but for all people. Sadly, too many people remain bound to sin because of the enticement of the flesh and the empty promises of this world. Paul is writing to the Romans and calling them to live out their commitment. In other words, they are to keep moving forward and upward, not stagnate or struggle. These powerful words give us the goal, the target. The choice is up to us: salve to sin or slave to God.
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