Being Free In Christ

Naypong

What does it mean to be free in Christ? Does it mean that we can do whatever we want now? Paul addresses this issue in Romans 6. The first verse of this chapter proposes a question, "What shall we say then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?" This is a question that many wanted to know during Paul's time. Paul answers the question in the second verse by saying, "By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?" In order to be free in Christ, you must accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour. When you accept Christ in your life, you are no longer slaves to sin. You no longer have those evil desires to ignore Christ and do whatever you want, but to please the Father. Does that mean you will never sin again? No, of course not. This is bigger than our own willpower, but it's about the grace of God who gives us power through the Holy Spirit to live a righteous life.

Let's look at Romans 6:16 ,and it says, "Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey-whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience which leads to righteousness?" I can say this for myself that once I came into Christ I did become a slave to righteousness. Most of my decisions are based on what God wants me to do even if it may not be exactly what I want. Being in a relationship with Christ is like being in a relationship with a significant other. When you are in a relationship with someone, you will try to do your best to please the other person.

Some nonbelievers feel that when a Christian follows the Word of God that they are in bondage because of all of its' do's and don'ts. No, actually by following the Word, you are setting yourself free from the bondage of sin. If sin is not bondage, then why do we have so many alcoholics, sex addicts, drug addicts, and the list goes on? When you ask an alcoholic to stop drinking, they can't unless they are delivered from it. Why do you think the word of God says in Ephesian 5: 18,"And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit?" It's because God knows what excessive drinking can lead to.  If God tells us not to do something, it's because it's for our own good. It's not because he doesn't want us to have fun.  Christ is much wiser and smarter than we are. When we don't follow the word of God, there will be consequences to disobedience.  Let's take fornication for example.  In 1 Corinthians 6:18, it says,"Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body." When a person commits fornication, there are consequences to this action. The consequences are guilt, shame,an unwanted pregnancy, or some type of sexually transmitted disease.  Do you think that God wants this for us? He loves us so much that he tells us to avoid this so we will not have these consequences. The good news is that if you have committed fornication or any other type of sin and you want to repent of that sin, God can forgive you. 1 John 1: 19, it says, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

In conclusion, being a slave to righteousness brings peace and joy unlike being a slave to sin which brings guilt and torment. Choose life by following Christ and your life will never be the same!


Your Sister in Christ,