July 21, 2026

Today's Reading: Romans 6:19-23

Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 4:1-22; Acts 17:1-34; Acts 16:23-40

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Calling the faithful “slaves of God” in the year of our Lord 2025 feels uncomfortable. It feels like it needs a lot of context for what it isn’t. Paul doesn’t give it. Instead of his next words justifying the hyperbole, he justifies the sinner. He doesn’t minimize what slavery looks like. He just asks us to consider how freedom in regard to righteousness actually goes.

You are either slaves to sin or slaves to God because you’re not actually God. To Paul, it’s not even a question of ability. It’s a question of whether or not it would be a good thing if you were. If you actually were the most powerful being in the universe…how would that go? Back before you belonged to God, what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. It’s your death because you’re not God. But if you were, how would it not just be someone else’s death who got in your way? Instead of arguing over whether or not your sinful flesh is powerful enough to escape the grave, Paul asks whether or not having sinful flesh is good in the first place. Whether it be your death or the death of everyone who got in your way, God would rather it be His. The wages of sin is death, and so He pays it for you.

The free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. You are not free. You have a Lord. There are other lords. Many try to be lords themselves. But yours is the one who lays down His life to save yours. Rather than bickering about who’s in charge, Paul points to the results—your salvation. You are not free in regard to righteousness. You are not free to sin. You are free from it, though. You are free from death. On the Last Day, you will rise. You are even free from having to deal with all the enemies in your way to live. Sin. Death. The power of the devil. All come undone in Him who owns you and treats you as a treasure. Calling the faithful “slaves of God” was never a comfortable statement. It was never supposed to be. Rather, Paul lets our comfort be in Him who sets us free from death.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

When You woke that Thursday morning, Savior, teacher, faithful friend, Thoughts of self and safety scorning, Knowing how the day would end; Lamb of God, foretold for ages, Now at last the hour had come When but One could pay sin's wages: You assumed their dreadful sum. (LSB 445:1)

Rev. Harrison Goodman, Executive Director of Mission and Theology for Higher Things.