But now that you have been set free from sin
and have become slaves to God,
the fruit you reap leads to holiness,
and the outcome is eternal life.
Romans 6:22 BSB.
When Jesus freed us from our sin by dying on the cross, we became truly free.
Jesus released our souls from bondage to death, and we know true freedom as believers in Christ.
The chains that hold us captive to sin are now broken, and true freedom is ours.
As Christians we have to do our part in the sanctification (transformation/change) process.
We trust the power of the Holy Spirit to help us by the grace of God to be set free from empowering sin.
Our part is to pray and ask God for His power to say no to the attacks of the enemy in our lives.
We must keep going back to God, asking for His help to set us free as we struggle with life’s dominating sins.
We are free from sin when we repent, but must keep seeking God’s help to change and become more “holy” which means more “Christ-like.”
Jesus has given us freedom from sin, which means He forgives us when we ask for forgiveness. Our part is to “go and sin no more”… with His grace empowering us.
We are being sanctified or changed by the grace of God in order to “put off” sin and “put on” Jesus Christ and His character.
In this way, we become slaves to God and not to sin.
Freedom is waiting for each one of us as we cast off the sin that so easily entangles us.
Thankfully, God regenerates those who believe and makes us a new creation in Christ.
A Christian knows that sin by the grace of God must overcome. The world, the flesh, and the devil try to drag us down, but we know it is wrong to succumb to these factors.
We have no license to sin any longer as a Christian and will loath it in our lives.
Are our lives flourishing and are producing results in efforts to praise God by living for Him?
When Jesus takes up residence in our hearts, He helps us by His power and grace to live for Him.
We desire to “bear fruit” and make an eternal difference in the lives of others with whom we come in contact with.
Since the Holy Spirit lives in us, we can serve God in how He calls us to.
We will show evidence of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
These characteristics take time to grow in us. Yet we must be ever growing, and changing, and becoming “more holy” or “Christlike.”
The good news is that the power of the Holy Spirit does this in our hearts as we lean on Him. We continue to ask Him to bring these qualities more and more.
All of this we do for God’s glory.
Liberty from sin is worth pursing. It is true freedom.
On July 1st we celebrated Canada day here in CA, and yesterday July 4th, the USA celebrated “Independence Day” the establishment of America on July 4, 1776.
When both countries became established, it was based on Christian principles. God has blessed both countries as nations that honour God. That is changing because many citizens don’t want God to have a part of their lives anymore. We have become two nations that spit on the Word of God.
I won’t dwell on the fact that we are no longer Christian nations in Canada and the USA. However, I must end by saying we will lose true freedom when our nations spurn God and His principles for living.
I’ve always loved the American Anthem. It seems to have more passion and depth than our Canadian Anthem.
I could be wrong. That’s just my take on it.
We know Canada and the USA have always had strong bonds in the past.
In closing let us end with the words of the last verse of the American Anthem, the complete version-
The Star-Spangled Banner-
(Verse Four/Complete Version/Francis Scott Key Manuscript/Maryland Historical Society)
O thus be it ever when freemen shall stand
Between their lov’d home and the war’s desolation!
Blest with vict’ry and peace may the heav’n rescued land
Praise the power that hath made and preserv’d us a nation!
Then conquer, we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto- “In God is our trust,”
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave,
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
(Photo Credit- Alan Mersom | Unsplash.com)