November 25: THE GREATEST LITERARY MASTERPIECE (part 1)

But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. Romans 6:22

The word translated end may also be translated ‘goal’ or ‘reward’. In the Bible, Jesus has made plain the truth of His intentions towards us: He does not want us to die! The divine inspiration of Scripture renders the written word the greatest literary masterpiece in the history of the universe. The student of His word will often be startled as he reads. Many of the words and phrases could be labeled as “positively scandalous!” They are meant to awaken our God-given senses to a growing discernment of the stark contrast between good and evil, as well as the powers behind each. Satan, on the other hand, is constantly at work to blur the distinction and totally confuse the undiscerning between the two. This is when he exerts his greatest power to lead us directly into sin.

Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, And prudent in their own sight! Isaiah 5:20-21

In our opening verse, Paul refers to new believers as having become slaves of God. Are you scandalized by the word slaves? Seeing the word slaves likely piques a reflex of recoiling and revulsion! It deliberately causes the reader to search for its connection with salvation in Christ and the joyful desires of a new heart. By contrast, it also emphasizes the woe that we unwittingly invite into our lives by choosing to be slaves to sin. Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness (Romans 6:16). Satan is a cruel taskmaster whose lawlessness is nothing more than a downward spiral toward eternal death.

Cast away from you all the transgressions (lawless deeds) which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel? I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you. Ezekiel 18:31; 36:26a

When we choose to follow Christ, the description of our chosen “taskmaster” is radically and delightfully changed:

…gentle and lowly in heart (Matthew 11:29) …holy, harmless, undefiled (Hebrews 7:25) …the Lamb of God (John 1:29,36) …the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End (Revelation 1:8) …Faithful and True Witness (Revelation 3:14) …Creator (Colossians 1:16) …Sanctifier (see Ezekiel 20:12) …Redeemer (see Isaiah 43:1) Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6)

Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble. Psalm 119:165