Manifesting true righteousness through obedience to Christ
Romans 6:16 presents a profound concept: "Know ye not that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness."
This verse is intriguing, and many people miss the peculiarity of it. Take a look at what it says. One is either a servant of sin, which leads to death, or a servant of obedience, which leads to righteousness. You might be persuaded to interpret the verse saying that one is either a servant of sin leading to death or a servant of righteousness leading to life. However, this interpretation is contrary to what Paul taught. Let me explain. Although Paul, as pertaining to the old covenant said, "For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them", Rom.10:5, and to the Galatians he said, "for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law", look what he said pertaining to our grace doctrine, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (21) I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.", Gal 2:20-21. You see, Paul didn't say that you serve sin unto death or righteousness unto life; there's something else you have to obey, and its obedience. But what does that mean?
Romans 5:19 tells us: "For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous."
