Today starts a new series Declaration of Dependence, we will be looking at the freedoms believers have In Christ. Today, Freedom from sin.
As we gather around to celebrate Independence Day in the United States with family and friends. We celebrate independence from tyranny and rejoice in the freedoms that we have here in our country. We think back to our forefathers and remember their struggles with a grateful heart. Most citizens thank God for their freedoms and do their best not to abuse them. As a follower of Christ I can’t help but think of the freedom I have in Christ. By Grace, through faith we are made able to receive this gift of freedom and all believers sign a Declaration of Dependence in the work of Christ (Ephesians 2:4-9). What exactly does our Declaration of Dependence free us from?
Freedom From Sin
“for one who has died has been set free from sin” (Romans 6:7)
Our Declaration of Dependence in the work of Christ sets us free from the power of sin. In Romans 6, Paul is explaining to us our union with Christ. When we receive Christ we become united with Him in His death, meaning our sinful nature is crucified with Christ in order that the power of sin in our lives may be “brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin” (Rom. 6:6). Paul uses the slave/master relationship to illustrate this concept. When we were without Christ we were slaves to the master of our sinful nature. We had no choice but to sin, that is how corrupt the fallen condition is. But the moment you become united with Christ, in His death and resurrection, the sinful nature is put to death and Christ work becomes the purchase price for your life. Do you see and understand Paul’s logic here? If through Christ, you are dead to sins power, then you have been set free from sins mastery over you. What a glorious freedom we have been given.
If we were to end here it would be an injustice because Paul goes on to further explain our union to Christ’s Resurrection. Paul continues to explain to us that because Christ died and rose again from the dead, death no longer has dominion over Him. The life He lives, He lives to God. Not only are we united in Christ death but also in His resurrection and if we are dead to sin we then are made alive to God. Paul now returns to the slave/master relationship concept to illustrate what this means;
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. (Rom. 6:22)
In the transaction for your life, God through Christ, paid the price for your freedom. When we become united with Christ our ownership changes. Sin is no longer is our master, God becomes our master and we become slaves of righteousness. We become slaves to God and we are set free in this world to display “the fruit of sanctification”. We are not only free from sins power, but now because of our union with Christ and the power of His Spirit in our lives, we are free to live a life of obedience to such a Gracious Master. Praise be to God for this Glorious freedom in Christ.
I pray this encourages and blesses you. Until next time
Soli Deo Gloria
Josue Aguilar 