Category Archives: Righteousness

Bible, Enslavement, Righteousness, Scripture, Sin, Slaves

CHOOSE RIGHTEOUSNESS

ROMANS 6:20

“For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in relation to righteousness.”

You have surely heard the expression “You can’t have your cake and eat it too.” Have you ever stopped to think about what that saying means? It means you can’t enjoy two incompatible things at the same time. You just can’t. This idiom dates back to the 16th century, but it is still true today. Too many people think you can claim to be a Christian and still live like the world. The two are not compatible.

Paul is continuing to draw the line between sin and righteousness. This verse today is not hard to understand. He is saying when we were obeying our sinful flesh and living immorality, we had no part with righteousness. In fact, we did everything we could to avoid it. 1 Peter 4:3 describes this slavery of sin so well. “For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of indecent behavior, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties, and wanton idolatries.”

APPLICATION

Let’s take a look at our viewing habits. So many things in the media today point us directly at those things described in 1 Peter 4:3. But instead we are to pursue holy things. I don’t mean you have to sit and meditate all day. I am not saying all you can read is the Bible or that you are not allowed to enjoy a good movie. But there are some things we should avoid if we want to pursue a righteous life.

Don’t forget, any righteousness we have as followers of Christ are from Him. Do you want to soil His righteousness. It would be like borrowing someone’s Sunday best and then wallow in a pig pen. Not only would you soil the clothing that you were entrusted, but you would also carry with your stench of those pigs. Believe me, you don’t want that smell on you. Sin stinks. Always has and always will.

So, today choose righteousness. Shun even the appearance of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:22 says that. Even the appearance! That means we can’t have our cake and eat it too. We can’t say we are a child of God and live like the devil’s. We shouldn’t want that. Do you? I sure don’t. I know I fail miserably many days, but I pray my failings are just that – failings. They are not because I pursued something evil. Beloved, join me in chasing after righteousness from above.

O Lord, I know I fall short of Your glory, but I desperately want it. Help me today to pursue it fully.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Impurity, Lawlessness, Physical, Righteousness, Sanctification, Scripture, Slaves

LET’S GET PHYSICAL

ROMANS 6:19

“I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented the parts of your body as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, resulting in further lawlessness, so now present your body’s parts as slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification.”

In our physical bodies, some parts are exposed to the public and others are covered for modesty and privacy. You all know that. It would seem we put way too much emphasis on our bodies. Billions of dollars are spent every year on lotions, shampoos, anti-wrinkling creams and the such. We are in this lifetime struggle to try to stay younger, but we all age and we all die. That’s just a fact.

Paul uses the analogy of the body and its members a few times in scripture. In today’s verse he basically is telling us to stop using our bodies for sin and use them for righteousness. Physical sin was rampant in Paul’s world. There were temple prostitutes and all sorts of immoral behavior. Many believe the downfall of Rome was due to their increasing tolerance of immorality in their society. When everything is accepted, nothing is stood for.

APPLICATION

Jesus uses this same word for “body’s parts” in Matthew 5:29-30. “‘29 Now if your right eye is causing you to sin, tear it out and throw it away from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand is causing you to sin, cut it off and throw it away from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to go into hell.’” Now, Jesus wasn’t advocating for one-eyed or one-handed followers. No! But He was warning us of the perils of the human flesh.

How are you using your body right now? You may be saying, Carl, I am not in the least bit concerned about my body. Well, you should be because as a follower of Christ, your body is His body. Everything you do or don’t do to your body affects how He can use you. I know from personal experience the limits we can have physically if we are ill or weak. I still can’t do certain things I could do before my two stem cell transplants.

How does Christ want to use your body? He wants you to exemplify perfection. Not physical perfection but perfect presentation of your body to Him. Jesus uses all sizes and ages of people. He doesn’t require you to be physically strong to be used. But He does expect us to do all we can to care for the vessel He has given us to live in. Give your bodies to righteousness and not sinfulness.

My body belongs to You, O Lord. Take it and use it for Your glory.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Bondslaves, Choices, Enslavement, Righteousness, Scripture, Sin, Slaves

SLAVES BY CHOICE

ROMANS 6:18

“and after being freed from sin, you became slaves to righteousness.”

Every job I have ever had was my choice. No one made me work for someone. Sure, I might have been encouraged by my parents or my wife, but I made the choice in the end. I prayed about those jobs. I wanted to make sure it was His will for my life and not just something I wanted to do. Looking back over my 65 years, some of those choices may not have been the best. But God worked through each of them to bring me to the point where I am today.

Paul has been using the analogy of slavery in the past few verses. It was a system he was very aware of having lived in that environment. The word Paul uses for “became slaves” is doulóō which focuses on the status of being a bond-slave and stresses the results of enslavement. The word is used eight times in the New Testament. The Topical Lexicon says, “The eight New Testament uses of this verb, taken together, testify that the gospel does not merely offer improved circumstances; it effects a total change of ownership, replacing cruel slavery to sin with joyful servanthood to the living God.”

APPLICATION

We’ll see doulóō a few verses later in Romans 6:22. Paul uses it in 1 Corinthians 9:19 when he writes, “For though I am free from all people, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may gain more.” Willfully choosing to enslave oneself is a huge decision. So many people don’t get this. They enter into their relationship with Jesus just to escape the fires of hell. They are not told that when we choose Jesus, we choose enslavement to His will. They think it will hold them back and don’t understand this enslavement actually frees you.

You can also choose enslavement to other things. In Titus 2:3 this word is used to warn women to not be enslaved to much wine. We all know the results of that, right? Our choices have consequences – good or bad. As Paul said a couple of verses back, we can be slaves to sin or obedience. Both have consequences.

But here in today’s verse Paul makes it clear that we have been freed from sin to choose righteousness. We choose to live enslaved to a Master who will give us His righteousness. We did not deserve it and we cannot earn it. His righteousness was given to us the moment we “enslave” ourselves to Him. We become royalty, part of the family of God. What a great enslavement. Will you choose that today? Enslave yourself to Him.

Father, I bind myself to You each day and seek to do Your will.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Bondslaves, Death, Disobedience, Enslavement, Obedience, Righteousness, Scripture, Slaves

YOU’RE GONNA SERVE SOMEBODY

ROMANS 6:16

“Do you not know that the one to whom you present yourselves as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of that same one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness?”

Bob Dylan had a hit Christian song back in the late 70’s entitled, “Gotta Serve Somebody.” You should google it and listen to it sometime. The verses are great, but the chorus drives home the point of today’s verse. It says,

But you’re gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed
You’re gonna have to serve somebody
Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord
But you’re gonna have to serve somebody

Today’s verse is another memory verse for me from our Every Man A Warrior study. It’s the perfect reminder that we will serve a master – either the devil or Christ. Paul uses an analogy that everyone who read this would quickly understand. Some estimates (which are really hard to nail down) have as much as 1/3 of the population in Rome were slaves. There were so many slaves that many feared they could take over the capital city if they chose to revolt.  So, this picture of slavery in today’s verse was one they all understood.

APPLICATION

In John 8:34 we read, “Jesus answered them, ‘Truly, truly I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin.’” If the Son of God tells us the danger of sin is slavery to it, shouldn’t we listen to Him? We think we can slip in a sin here and there without sin getting its hooks in us. The devil is sneaky and will allow you to swallow that hook before he sets it.

Our voluntary servitude to Christ, however, changes. Look what Christ said in John 15:15. “‘No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, because all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.’” We move from slave to friend. That would have been a crazy thought back when Christ said these words. How can a slave be a friend to their master?

Our Master Jesus is not like other masters. He is a loving and compassionate master. He not only serves as our master, but He also is our friend, our real BFF. He will never leave us nor forsake us. He always hears us and will answer in His perfect timing. So, today choose your master well. Your gonna serve somebody.

I have chosen You, Lord, as my Master. I want to serve You well.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Death, Instruments, Righteousness, Scripture, Unrighteousness

BE THE RIGHT INSTRUMENT

ROMANS 6:13

“and do not go on presenting the parts of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those who are alive from the dead, and your body’s parts as instruments of righteousness for God.”

Doctors who spend time in the operating room have specific surgical instruments they use for each surgical procedure. If they use the wrong instrument, they can do more harm than good. No one wants that, especially the patient. When the correct instrument is used, healing can begin.

Today’s verse is one of my memory verses with our ministry, Every Man A Warrior. It’s a constant reminder to focus our attention on serving our true Master Jesus Christ, not our old master – sin. We need to be the correct instrument of righteousness so we can impact our world around us for good. If we choose to be the wrong instrument (unrighteousness), it only leads to death.

APPLICATION

The word translated “presenting” or “present” is parístēmi “(from pará, ‘from close-beside’ and hístēmi, ‘to stand’) – properly, stand close beside, i.e. ready to present (exhibit).” (HELPS Word-studies) Perhaps a better translation is “to yield.” But it is not just the definition. The verb tenses Paul used for each use tells us something bigger.

In the first use of parístēmi in the verse, it is in the Present Indicative. That is an ongoing, habitual or repeated action. We are not to continuously yield ourselves to sin as an unrighteous instrument. Sure, we are going to sin. But for a follower of Christ, that should be an accident, not a willful, repeated action.

The next time the word is used in the verse it is in the Aorist Indicative. That means it is a simple, completed action or point in time without indicating a duration. In other words, Paul is saying we yield ourselves to God once which does not need to be repeated over and over. You are saved once. It is not necessary to do that over and over again.

What kind of instrument are you today? Are you an instrument of righteousness or unrighteousness, of good or evil? You really do have a choice, but you have the power within you, if you are a follower of Christ, to choose correctly. You have the Holy Spirit to guide and equip you. Stop yielding to the sinful choices and allow the Spirit to live through you to accomplish all that the Lord has for you.

Make me an instrument for You, O Lord. I choose today to place myself in Your hands.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Death, Eternal Life, Eternity, Grace, Righteousness, Scripture, Sin

GRACE WOULD REIGN

ROMANS 5:21

“so that, as sin reigned in death, so also grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

If you have ever seen two skilled lawyers argue their cases against each other in court, it is really a sight to behold. Both are convinced their side is the right side. Both are fighting for their clients, whether that be the defendant or the government. Jabs are thrown at each other. Objections are raised at the other’s comments or questions. But in the end, there is only one truth.

Paul has been showing both sides of mankind’s situation. One side is arguing for death. Our sins demand it. Satan demands it. Evil wants to keep us in its grip. But Jesus came to loose that grip and give us live. In today’s verse, Paul says it well when he writes, “so also grace would reign.” He goes on to tell us how grace will reign, “through righteousness.” And then he tells us why grace will reign, “to eternal life through Jesus Christ.” You see, there’s a purpose behind the reign of grace.

APPLICATION

The Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary explains this reign of grace so well. “and of Grace, the grace which originated the scheme of salvation, the grace which ‘sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world,’ the grace which ‘made Him to be sin for us who knew no sin,’ the grace which ‘makes us to be the righteousness of God in Him,’ so that ‘we who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness do reign in life by One, Jesus Christ!’” That’s quite a synopsis of what Paul has been saying.

Can I get technical for just a second? The verb “would reign” is in the Aorist Subjunctive Active. This is not something that just might happen. This verb is described as conveying a simple, discrete action that has not happened yet but is seen as a single, completed event. Did I lose you? What this means is our eternal life with Christ has not happened yet, but it will and it will be the result of the reign of grace that defeated death once and for all at the cross of Jesus and that empty tomb. You should be shouting about now!

As we end chapter five today, let me encourage you to go back and reread all my blogs on 5:1-21 in one sitting. See the flow of thought that is in Paul’s words, not mine. We are about to start one of the most central chapters in the whole Bible. Paul had to set this up by laying out the battlefield between sin and grace, between death and life. Get ready for Romans 6!

Lord, I thank You that grace reigns and one day I will be with You in Glory!

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Disobedience, Obedience, Righteousness, Scripture, Self-righteousness, Sin, Unrighteousness

DISOBEDIENCE VS OBEDIENCE

ROMANS 5:19

“For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous.”

I think I was a pretty obedient child until… In my preteen and teenage years, I became pretty disobedient. I don’t need to elaborate on my disobedience. You can probably figure it out. I was a teen in the 70’s when things were getting pretty crazy on the drug scene. I knew the right thing to do. I just chose not to do it. I wanted to do what I wanted to do and didn’t think too much about the consequences. That’s just plain sin. Thankfully, all that is under the blood.

In today’s verse Paul uses two different Greek words to describe disobedience and obedience. They are both built on the same Greek word akoúō but have different prefixes which drastically changes their meanings. Let’s take a look at these two words and as we do, think how you are responding to what you have heard the Master say.

APPLICATION

The first word used by Paul is parakoḗ. It is “(from pará, ‘contrary by close comparison’ and akoúō, ‘hear’) – properly, contrary-hearing, i.e. disobedience which springs from a negative (opposing) attitude, i.e. the refusal to listen properly.” (HELPS Word-studies) This word has the idea of just plain refusing to listen and refusing to comply. This implies a bad attitude that does not want to obey.

It’s only found two other times in the New Testament. In Hebrews 2:2 we read, “For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every violation and act of disobedience received a just punishment,…” Then over in 2 Corinthians 10:6 it is used when it says, “and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.”

Then we come to the word Paul uses for obedience. It is hypakoḗ “(from hypó, ‘beneath’ and akoúō, ‘to hear’) i.e. obedience – literally, ‘submission to what is heard’, i.e. obedience as the response to someone speaking. This refers both to an earthly voice and the Lord’s voice.” (HELPS Word-studies) It is used 15 times in the New Testament (7 in Romans) 1 Pet 1:2 uses this word. “according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.”

Isn’t that the bottom line – obedience to Christ? Nothing else really matters. We can obey others but not be obedient to Christ. It’s been said you will serve a master in one way or the other. Do you choose to obey your own master or The Master? One brings death and the other brings righteousness (Romans 6:16). Choose wisely.

O Lord, I want to obey You and none other.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Cross, Grace, Jesus, Righteousness, Royalty, Ruling, Scripture

WE WILL REIGN

ROMANS 5:17

“For if by the offense of the one, death reigned through the one, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.”

Are you aware that as a follower of Christ you will reign with Christ one day? We are told in 2 Timothy 2:12, “If we endure, we will also reign with Him;” But I’ve got good news. Our reign doesn’t start in heaven. It starts here. What? Yes! Look at our verse again. If we “receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness,” we “will…reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.” Woohoo! I am royalty! You are royalty!

Now, don’t get this picture in your head of sitting on a golden throne, holding a golden scepter and giving commands. That’s not what it means. Albert Barnes says, “It means that they shall be exalted to a glorious state of happiness in heaven; that they shall be triumphant over all their enemies; shall gain an ultimate victory; and shall partake with the Captain of their salvation in the splendors of his dominion above.”

APPLICATION

But what about here and now. When we receive these gifts from our Savior, we will finally experience real life. We will overcome all the griefs and sorrows because of the cross. We will rule over depression and despair because of Jesus. We will establish our boundaries through the blood of the Lamb. That’s reigning in life. That’s being of royal blood.

You see the moment we come to Christ and lay down our life in exchange for His, the blood of the Lamb envelopes us and protects us. Yes, we still have to deal with sin, but it has no power over us anymore. We can rule over sin in our lives. Yes, sickness may come, but it does not take away anything that we will willingly lay down.

Freedom in Christ is the power of our reign. Freedom in Christ dispels all our enemies. So, are you reigning with Christ today over the sins and evils that surround you or are cowering in fear like a slave of the evil one? It’s your choice. If you belong to Jesus, act like it. Rule like it. If you aren’t His child yet, come to Him today so that you may have the freedom that allows you to rule and reign in life.

Father God, I praise You for giving me the power to reign through Your Son, Jesus Christ.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Eternal Life, Eternity, Holy Spirit, Promises, Righteousness, Salvation, Scripture

JOIN THE CLUB

ROMANS 4:24

“but for our sake also, to whom it will be credited, to us who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead,”

Most clubs you join require you to agree to a certain code of conduct and make a commitment to hold up the stated values of the club. I was part of a civic club years ago and was expected to attend weekly meetings and other events sponsored by the club. I dropped out because it took way too much time away from my family and ministry. They were good people doing good things, but it just wasn’t right for me.

By believing in Jesus and following Him, we are made part of God’s club, so to speak. Let me share some thoughts from Albert Barnes on this verse. “The main or leading truths that God has made known to us are, that he has given his Son to die; that he has raised him up; and that through him he is ready to pardon. To put confidence in these truths is to believe now. Doing this, we believe in the same God that Abraham did; we evince the same spirit; and thus, show that we are the friends of the same God and may be treated in the same manner. This is faith under the gospel and shows that the faith of Abraham and of all true believers is substantially the same and is varied only by the difference of the truths made known.”

APPLICATION

I know that was a lot to digest so go back and read it again. I’ll wait…ready? What Paul is saying and what Barnes is interpreting is we belong to God just like Abraham. Abraham believed to the extent to what God disclosed to him. We believe to the extent to what God discloses to us. We have one huge benefit over Abraham, though. We have the Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Trinity, to speak in us through the Father.

Abraham’s promise of a nation was birthed through his son, Isaac. Our promise of a promised eternal home was birthed through God’s Son, Jesus Christ. Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son to prove his faith. God sacrificed His Son to give us faith. Abraham dwells now in heaven as one of the righteous dead before Christ. We will dwell in heaven one day because of the righteousness of Christ.

So many similarities between us and Abraham, between our faith and his. Yes, we share the same God. And yes, because the Father and the Son are One, we share the same Savior. His came through his faith in Jehovah. Ours comes from our faith in Jesus, His Son. I can’t wait to meet Abraham one day. I wonder if he knows that song about the seven sons of Abraham, lol.

Lord, I praise You for giving me full access to the heavenly club You have established through Jesus.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Alone, Bible, Righteousness, Scripture, Self-righteousness, Vanity

IT’S NOT ALL ABOUT YOU

ROMANS 4:23

“Now not for his sake only was it written that it was credited to him,”

In 1972 Carly Simon released a song entitled “You’re So Vain.” You may have heard it. The chorus says, “You’re so vain; You probably think this song is about you. You’re so vain (you’re so vain). I bet you think this song is about you, don’t you, don’t you?” Vanity is thinking the world revolves around you and that all that happens good in your life is because you deserve it.

Abraham was not vain. He knew the righteousness which was bestowed on him by the Lord was not because of anything he had done or could do. And he knew that God’s promises were not for him alone. They would be passed down to future generations through his son. We will see in tomorrow’s verse the second part of this thought. But just looking at today’s verse, I want you to see that it is not all about you.

APPLICATION

We were saved for a purpose. Our salvation comes with instructions – go share this with someone. Pass it on. Lead someone else to a saving knowledge of Jesus. Take the “Roman Road” and walk with someone to understand those verses and give their life to Christ. Your salvation is not all about you. God has saved you and enlisted you in His army. Stand and fight!

In the July 2025 assassination attempt on President Donald Trump’s life, after he stood up with a bloodied ear, he was surrounded by Secret Service agents. But through the mass of bodies, he shoved up his fist and shouted, “Fight, fight, fight!” He wasn’t giving up because he knew the election wasn’t just about him. Now, I’m not trying to be political here. I’m just giving an example. Things that happen in our lives are not just about us. We can affect hundreds of people by our reaction to events, including our own salvation.

What kind of effect are you having on others? Maybe you’re one of those who think it’s all about you. I have known a few narcissists in my life, none of which were very pleasant to be around. Take an inventory of all that God has done for you. Then find a way to share that with others. Most importantly, find a way to share your faith with someone this week one-on-one. Be honest and share your struggles. But don’t leave out the best part – He is always there.

Lord God, I know it is not about me. You came to give Your life for others, and I should lay down my life for them as well.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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