The Nature of Sin

James Montgomery Boice was the pastor of Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia from 1968 to 2000.  Just recently I saw a quote of his in our church's weekly bulletin.  It read - 

"This is a paradox, of course, as Augustine, Luther, Edwards, Pascal, and others have pointed out.  When individuals rebel against God, they don't achieve freedom.  They fall into bondage, because rebellion is sin, and sin is a tyrant.  On the other hand, when men and women submit to God, becoming his slaves, they become truly free.  They achieve the ability fully to become the special, unique beings that God created them to be."

I believe this is exactly correct and it agrees with the Bible.  In the sixth chapter of Romans, the Apostle Paul also describes slavery and freedom, compared to sin and righteousness.  He says in 6:15-17, 

"What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed."

Paul continues in Chapter 7 to describe his struggle with sin, and in Chapter 8 to describe his victory in the Holy Spirit.  And so, we must seek to be led by the Holy Spirit to become free from sin.  And then we will be free indeed.  God is calling us to live for Him, and be filled with the Holy Spirit, so that we would be free to be who He has created us to be.