God's grace is wonderful!  But is it too good?  If God freely gives eternal life to all who trust Jesus, instead of punishment, what is to stop us continuing to sin?   If the law can never make people righteous - it simply describes behaviour which is offensive to God, and even encourages sin (Romans 7:7-8) - might Paul's teaching be misinterpreted and appear to permit moral anarchy?

God’s grace encompasses both justification and redemption.  Justification is a legal concept, exchanging Christ's punishment for mine so that I can go free (Romans 5:1); but redemption is relational.  Slaves could only be set free if there was a payment; this was called the ransom money.  In the same way, sinners, who were previously in slavery to sin, have been purchased by God with the price of Christ's sacrifice (Ephesians 1:7).  Those who trust in Christ’s sacrifice are no longer slaves of sin and Satan but have been brought into God's family as free people.  So, we owe a massive debt of gratitude to Him.  Therefore, because we now belong to Him, we are not at liberty to please ourselves.

Paul now explains the personal obligation to continue to struggle against sin.  It is not that our moral and spiritual battling can in any way earn salvation, but that our changed way of life shows our gratitude to our Saviour and our delight to be united with Him (Romans 6:5-7).  We have changed sides from the kingdom of Satan to the kingdom of God.  As 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honour God with your bodies.”  

For all of us, sin has been the habit of a lifetime, our moral default.  But when we submit to Jesus Christ as Saviour we must learn new habits.  We have not just been 'let off' our eternal punishment but have also been brought into a new relationship with our Maker who is our new Master.  Instead of a lifetime of sinful living which confirms God's right to condemn us, every day we must now prepare to live with Him for ever.  Obedience instead of disobedience; service instead of rebellion; receiving His Word instead of telling Him what to do; learning to love instead of hate; welcoming truth and rejecting lies ... these are all part of the new life which has been won for us by God's grace.  Are you willing to commit yourself to serving your Saviour like that?  There is no other option!