servitude (I like the word as long as it doesn't affect me)

Romans 6:19-23

Observe:
Key words: slave(ry), righteousness, holiness, life, death, impurity/sin
Paul contrasts the results of being a slave to sin (shame and death) with the results of being a slave to God (holiness and life). Holiness and righteousness are connected to life and sin is connected to death.

Interpret:
Paul recognizes that his analogy is not perfect - it is causes some problems to talk about our obedience to God as slavery in the same way that our obedience to sin is slavery. However, the analogy is there in that we are either obeying sin or obeying God.
Paul carries on the idea of wages vs. gift in verse 23 which echoes his language in chapter 4 where he argues that Abraham's righteousness was credited to him as a gift not as an obligation based on his works. This also furthers Paul's argument that we live by faith and that life is a gift from God; not based on works - just as Abraham's righteousness was a gift from God not based on works. This is Paul's whole point: Our righteousness is a gift from God and so is our life. We achieve both by faith in Jesus Christ, not by works or any social status.
Paul is specifically arguing in this passage that there are only two choices when it comes to life: either obeying sin (which leads to shame and death) or obeying God (which leads to holiness and life). The difference is that one is what we deserve (wages of sin) and one is not (gift of God).

Apply:
It follows that my justification will lead to holy living. If I rely on God to save me, why wouldn't I rely on God to help me live? I'm not talking about physical life (although that is a gift from God as well) but about really living, being alive. I have settled for living death when Christ offers living life! I think that we, as a Christian society, have stopped short of the life that God wants.
I also don't think we see the two options very clearly. We tend to think that our choices stand alone and don't see the effect they may be having on history and eternity. We need to recognize that in this battle between sin and holiness, death and life, that we must be very intentional in the things we do and say. I need to evaluate every choice: how can I best promote the cause of holiness and life and act against sin and death?