Present yourselves to God as raised from the dead to life, for sin is not to have power over you. The liberating power of Jesus Christ is the Good News that his disciples are charged with disseminating to the ends of the earth. It is the message that even tough Adam had “led” creation into the clutching hands of sin through his rebellion, God in Jesus Christ has loosened sin’s grip on creation and set it free to realize its full potential. By “redeeming” us from sin’s grip and control, we have in turn become his (Jesus’) possession. By “buying” us at the cost of his life, Jesus has become our master and we his slaves. Consequently, St. Paul is reminding us that we are in Jesus’ debt and as such are bound to exclusively remain in Christ’s possession. We cannot be slaves to Christ and at the same time continue doing the works of sin. Our sole allegiance is owed to Christ and his service.
Even though the effects of the sin of Adam makes us susceptible to give in to sin, our participation in the death and resurrection of Jesus affords us the requisite tools to guard ourselves from giving in to sin. Through baptism, we have been united to the dying process and have been united with Jesus Christ who not only gives us life but also empowers us to remain steadfast in resisting sin’s luring temptations. It is this Jesus Christ who then presents us to the Father as servants of righteousness (men and women in right relationship).