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1. The Declaration of God’s Grace
   
   
1. We have already addressed the issue of our slavery to sin and the consequences of that devotion.
2. Here we see an emphasis once again on the grace that was required to accomplish what is being described here by Paul – a dramatic transformation.
3. This is the eruption from the heart of Paul – a desire to extol God for the grace He has given so that this transformation could take place.
4. He is to be credited with changing the hearts of these people from being the bond-slaves of sin to actually desiring to obey the truth of God’s word – cp. Philippians 2:13
   
   
2. The Details of the Decisive Transformation
   
   
1. Previous Condition – "slaves of sin"
1. The idea of our being slaves carries the reality of how in bondage we were – overcome and mastered by sin – cp. 2 Peter 2:19
2. As such, the unregenerate man is constantly existing in subjection to his master – a demanding and aggressive master – cp. Genesis 4:7.
2. Duration of Bondage – "were slaves of sin"
1. The imperfect reference here signifies that this struggle was not something that was occasional – but a constant, ongoing state of reality – cp. 1 Corinthians 6:11; Ephesians 5:8
2. It was in a condition of that existed "all their lives" - Hebrews 2:15.
3. Sin used to reign as a tyrant – keeping the believer from being able to exercise righteousness cp. Romans 6:12-14.
4. Thus the entire quality of an unregenerate man is ungodliness as he continues to serve his master sin – cp. Romans 3:10-12.
3. Aorist tense "obedient" – "you became obedient"
1. However, there has come a point in time when, by the grace of God, things changed – "you became obedient"
2. This is an aorist reference that talks about an instant or crisis when the change occurred – when one is born again.
3. Literally the term means "you listened" or "attended to" – whereas they used to turn a deaf ear to the truth, they have now listened with attention and obedience.
   
   

1. The Characteristics of Heartfelt Obedience
   
   
1. What then are the characteristics of an obedience that flows from the work of grace in our hearts?
2. There is an eager willingness – a heartfelt zeal for what is right – cp. Titus 2:14
3. There is a sense of delight with the additional discovery of what Christ desires of us – cp. 1 John 5:3; Psalm 119:47-48
4. The presence of a grateful yieldedness to the person of Christ – cp. Luke 19:14
   
   
2. The Contrast to Heartfelt Obedience (conformity)
   
   
1. In contrast to genuine obedience to the truth are those that merely conform themselves outwardly, but who reject the power that brings real change – 2 Timothy 3:5.
2. A person does not obey in order to get right with God, but rather are reconciled to God by His grace and the work of Christ and then the obedience is produced from a heart that has been transformed.
3. These are those who fail to see the essential unity between obeying the truth of the written Word and obedience to the Living Word – Christ Jesus Himself.
4. They claim that they can love God while disregarding the truth rigidly and authoritatively expressed in Scripture.
5. However, Christ Himself declared: "If you love Me, you will keep my commandments" – cp. John 14:15.
6. These people see the truth as restrictive, and avoid its consideration lest they be confronted with additional discovery of the will of God.
   
   

1. The Configuration of God’s Truth
   
   
1. Paul here indicates that truth is a non-negotiable – "form of teaching"
2. "form" – is the word for "type" or "mold" into which castings were poured – similar to a "die"
3. He refers here to the doctrines of Scripture beginning with the Gospel of redemption and ending with the whole counsel of God:
1. It is non-negotiable and completely inalterable
2. It is universally applicable and without exception
3. It is to be the absolute standard around which everything else is brought into harmony – not vice versa – cp. Psalm 119:160
4. This is essentially referring to the "faith once delivered to the saints" – cp. Jude 3.
   
   
2. The Compliance to God’s Truth
   
   
1. "… to which you were committed" can also be translated "… into which you were committed (or delivered)"
2. The idea portrayed here is that when God does a work of transforming grace, he "casts" them into the mold of divine truth.
3. This perfect mold is the die of His Son – into whose image we are being transformed – cp. Romans 12:1; 2 Corinthians 3:18
4. The ultimate goal of the believer is to be like Christ by continually focusing on Him as found in God’s Word – cp. 2 Corinthians 3:18; James 1:21-25.
5. As the the believer is poured into the mold of truth, the Spirit transforms the believer more and more into the image of Christ – Romans 8:29; John 16:13-14
6. This is why God’s Word must be respected as that to which we must humbly yield ourselves – if we are ever going to be found in the full image of Christ – 2 Timothy 1:13; Titus 1:9

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