Saturday, September 15

Set free from the bondage of sin

Romans 6:6-23 (6)We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. (7) For one who has died has been set free from sin. ……………………………………………………(14) For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. …………………………… (22) But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. (23) For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

When the redeemed are regenerated and baptized in Christ, they are baptized into his death. Just as Christ was crucified and died as an atonement for the sins of the redeemed, we know that our old self was crucified with him. Through the power of Christ and the Holy Spirit, redeemed sinners are no longer under the power of sin, and are no longer slaves to sin because we have been set free from the bondage of the sin nature. Through the ministry of the indwelling Holy Spirit, grace sets us free and brings us to willingly become slaves of God. With a new heart there is a new attitude, direction, and focus in life. Just as the attitude of the old sin nature produced fruit that led to death, the new Spirit led nature produces a fruit that leads to sanctification. Sanctification brings a progression toward godliness and holiness that results in eternal life. Verse 22 above does not state that it may happen, should happen, or could happen. No, it states that it will happen. Just as surely as attempted justification by law-keeping, void of the Holy Spirit, leads to death, a fruitless carnal “professing Christian” lifestyle without any influence of the Holy Spirit also leads to death. Just as a successful bowler must keep the ball from going into gutter on either side, a true Holy Spirit led Christian will not fall permanently into the gutter of self-righteousness on the one side or total fruitless carnality on the other side. Grace saves and grace carries the redeemed sinner all the way to glory.

Praise God that redeemed sinners are not only justified with divine power, but are sanctified by the same heavenly power. Divine power is fail safe. This free gift of eternal life is in Christ Jesus or Lord and God provides EVERYTHING needed in receiving this gift and it comes with awesome POWER.

10 comments:

donsands said...

Very good post.

"slaves to God"

Sounds bad, but it's the greatest possible thing that could happen for any man.

However, we're not only slaves, but sons, and friends, and even brothers to the Lord; and heirs with Him.

Now that's incredible, and humbling.

Scribe said...

Great post...Romans 6 has always aided me in my fight against a liscentious geared "Christians". The way many a Christians talk, you would think that we are nothing more than saved yet slaves to sin...preposterous!

Susan said...

You never cease to amaze me how you can say sooooo much in a few brief words. You indeed are gifted and I am blessed to read you.
Susan

Baptist Girl said...

Great Post jazz,

There is on old saying, "Freedom reigns"....

We have freedom because Who Reigns!

Cristina

jazzycat said...

Don, Scribe, Susan, and Cristina,
Thanks for the great comments that add to the post.
Wayne

mark pierson said...

EXCELLENT!!!

Please post this at BC.

Rose~ said...

That is an awesome photograph! You really have a talent for that!

jazzycat said...

Mark,
Will do!

jazzycat said...

Rose,
Thank you. There is nothing I love better than viewing and photographing the awesome beauty of God's creation.

I hope you read the text as well.
wayne

Anonymous said...

Divine power is fail safe.

Phew - thank *God* for that too! Because I am totally unable and dead to do it myself. Thank *God* that He Himself not only justifies but sanctifies.

How long I tried to do it myself in man-centered churches. I was SO grateful to have learned of the doctrines of grace when I did. What a relief! What a joy! What amazing grace indeed!