Unwavering Conformity: A 21-day Study in StewardshipSample

Instruments of Righteousness

This passage teaches that those who are in Christ are dead to sin and that sin no longer has dominion over our passions and our bodies. But the more we mature in Christ, the more we become aware of the war that continues to be waged within our bodies. English minister and Bible commentator Matthew Henry (1662-1714) comments on this passage:

“The strongest motives against sin, and to enforce holiness, are here stated. Being made free from the reign of sin, alive unto God, and having the prospect of eternal life, it becomes believers to be greatly concerned to advance thereto. But, as unholy lusts are not quite rooted out in this life, it must be the care of the Christian to resist their motions, earnestly striving, that, through Divine grace, they may not prevail in this mortal state. Let the thought that this state will soon be at an end encourage the true Christian, as to motions of lusts, which so often perplex and distress him. Let us present all our powers to God, as weapons or tools ready for the warfare, and work of righteousness, in his service. There is strength in the covenant of grace for us. Sin shall not have dominion. God's promises to us are more powerful and effectual for mortifying sin, than our promises to God. Sin may struggle in a real believer, and create in him a great deal of trouble, but it shall not have dominion; it may vex him, but it shall not rule over him. Shall any take occasion from this encouraging doctrine to allow themselves in the practice of any sin? Far be such abominable thoughts, so contrary to the perfections of God, and the design of his gospel, so opposed to being under grace.”

We steward our bodies as 'instruments of righteousness,' not as 'instruments of wickedness' (Ro 6:13), because God owns them, says evangelist and martyr Watchman Nee (1903-1972).

God requires of me that I now regard all my members, all my faculties, as belonging wholly to Him. It is a great thing when I discover I am no longer my own but His. If the ten shillings in my pocket belong to me, then I have full authority over them. But they belong to another who has committed them to me in trust, then I cannot buy what I please with them, and I dare not lose them. Real Christian life begins with knowing this. How many of us know that, because Christ is risen, we are therefore alive 'unto God' and not unto ourselves? How many of us dare not use our time or money or talents as we would, because we realize they are the Lord's, not ours? How many of us have such a strong sense that we belong to Another that we dare not squander a shilling of our money, or an hour of our time, or any of our mental or physical powers?