Romans 6:17-18 // Obsessive Compulsive Legalistic Order

But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. (Romans 6:17-18)

We were the servants of sin. I would say this applies to all of us. Why would we thank God that we were the servants of sin? Because that is not the whole sentence. I just make that point to remind myself to always be careful how you take part of a sentence out of context. Paul thanks God that the Romans have done what was preached to them and done it with all their heart. Not simply believed, but done. Not because they want to be seen to do the right thing but because they want to do it with all their heart.

They have accepted that form of doctrine, that was delivered or preached to them. This is an interesting statement to me. They have not modified what they heard to suit themselves. Or it may imply that the gospel they heard was not quite right but it saved them anyway because they had faith in God. Both could be true I think.

Because they wholeheartedly did what the preacher told them to do, they were made free from sin, it no longer had any hold on them. Instead they became addicted to doing the right thing. Sin is normal for this world, and sinning does not shock people much. But righteousness is exceptional, it shocks people and they respond very positively or very negatively.

You may be struggling with some sin. Is there something achievable that you have been told to do by the preacher but you are not doing?

You may feel like you are in fact saved. Do people think you are strangely addicted to doing right? Do you ever get called a legalist? Ask God to search your heart for sin and to change you by the power of the Holy Spirit living in you.

Being called a legalist is not a problem if it is not true. Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets. (Luke 6:26) Being called a "moderate" is usually a worse sign, though being moderate in reality is a good thing of course.

Decide that you will do anything Jesus tells you to, anything at all. His word is true and will help you to live a good life like you cannot imagine, you will not regret it.