Benifits of Obedience

In my quiet time today I studied Romans 6. This is Paul speaking to the believers in Rome. He begins by reminding them that since they are under grace (saved) it is not a licence to sin so grace will abound. The abundance of God grace (giving us something we do not deserve) is never designed to encourage sin.

I am baptized into Christ and His death and I am buried with Him ( I was buried with Jesus to my former sinful ways of living) and as He rose from the dead I am to walk in newness of life. This is the guarantee of physical life. I received Jesus Christ when I believed He is God's Son and God raised Him from the dead. At that time I became separated from my sin that brings death and then I got life a new life. Believers can not live in sin (sin like they did before they were saved) if they are dead to it. This is the basis of the Holy Spirit's continuing work.

Death does not master over Jesus Christ and since I am dead with Him, death does not master over me. I am dead (separated from) sin and I am alive to God in Christ Jesus. Christ's resurrection was a removal from the sphere of physical death to an unending spiritual form of life. Which I have since I am HIS.
I will not let sin control me. I will not obey sin's desire. My body is a tool of righteousness. When one is reigned by sin, sin manifests itself through their physical actions in their body. Why should I give in to my mortal body? My mortal body is decaying. It would be strange for me to allow a dying body master me. My body is used to promote righteousness.

I am a slave to the one I obey. If I obey sin I am a slave to sin which results in unrighteousness (evil doings) but if I obey God the results is righteousness and I am being sanctified. I am obedient from the heart to the form of teaching to which I am committed (the Word of God). Righteousness is the natural result of obeying God and His word and living for Him. It would be totally contrary to God's plan for me to be a slave to sin !!!

When I was a slave to sin and did not regard righteousness the out come was death. Separation from God. Sin = death Free gift of God = eternal life The benefit of living for God so out weights the benefit of sin. When you live in sin you do things that will someday be ashamed of and even worse death forever. But respond to Jesus and accept Him and here is some of your benefits.
1. Set free
2. Clean living (nothing to be ashamed of)
3. Righteousness
4. Sanctification
5. Holiness
6. Eternal life

Which would you choose?