Placing faith in Jesus Christ brings about an internal transformation that leads to abandoning old attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors. Just as Jesus underwent a baptism—his sacrifice to save others from sin, those who have faith in him die to their previous sinful ways and allegiances. This doesn't result in an immediate and complete change in every aspect of a believer's behavior. However, it sets a new direction and a new way of identifying with Christ, who detests sin, grants freedom from it, and brings victory over it in the lives of believers.

In Romans 6:20-21, Paul provides a dual justification for urging them to offer their bodies "as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification" (v. 19). The first reason is that being a slave to sin makes one unfit for righteousness. Paul describes such people as those who "claim to know God, but they deny him by their actions" (Titus 1:16). This was the state of the recipients before they embraced the gospel. They were "free," but not in a desirable sense.

Paul highlights the folly of succumbing to sin. He queries what the result was of the "things of which you are now ashamed." Like all believers, the Romans could reflect on their pre-Christ lives and cringe at their old habits and practices, the notorious "works of the flesh" that symbolize indulgence in separation from God. Paul concludes with a sharp understatement that the "end of those things is death." 

Romans 6:22 lays out a new dawn that comes with faith in Christ. Upon acceptance of the gospel, four truths emerge:

1. Believers are emancipated from the shackles of sin. Sin's irresistible allure and the resulting global turmoil is a testament to its devastating grip, but it can be shattered. Under God's grace, our lives are in Christ; we are no longer defeated and enslaved under the law.
2. Believers become servants of God. Paul identifies himself as a doulos ("slave") in the opening words of this letter. The psalmist had expressed a similar sentiment, asserting that even the lowest rank in the house of God is preferable to a life of wickedness.
3. Believers reap the "fruit" of sanctification, the main verb of the verse. This fruit is contrary to verse 21, which leads to death. The beneficial fruit of the gospel leads to love for God. 
4. Believers achieve the ultimate "end" or goal: "eternal life." This can be seen in an eschatological context: believers enjoy an everlasting blessing in the glorious age to come after death. However, the believer has eternal life from the moment of their salvation, and everything is made new. 

Romans 6:23 concludes Paul's discussion with a simple truth: sin's payoff is inevitable and lethal. Despite its ugliness, we work for it gladly, earning the wages of "death." God, however, offers a "free gift," "eternal life." Paul makes explicit that "eternal life" is not self-attained by a specific formula of words or actions, nor an automatic reward for correct theological understanding or refutation of error. It is the work of "Christ Jesus our Lord." Faith in him through the gospel message transforms us. We are no longer "under the law"; we are "under grace" (v. 15). So we, like Paul, can exclaim, "Thanks be to God" (v. 17)!