FREEDOM FROM SIN AND ALIVE TO GOD

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FREEDOM FROM SIN AND ALIVE TO GOD

Main Reading: Romans 6:12-14

To be set free from sin is to be set free from impulse to sin and from the consequences of sin. Fallen man fell on hard times, predisposed to conduct that is harmful to himself and others in disregard to the expressed will of God. For example, Cain murdered his brother in anger and jealousy and spoke back to God disrespectfully (Gen 4:8-9); In the days of Noah, nobody believed any word from God, even up to the flood; In the days of Abraham, the peoples of Sodom and Gomorrah had chosen homosexuality as the standard sexual relations. Through Moses God introduced the law, or the Old Covenant. The people under the law soon found out that they were incapable of keeping it completely and had to resort to regular sin offerings to maintain their relationship with God.  It was only the death of Jesus under the New Covenant that brought permanent freedom from sin and paid for its consequences once and for all.

Exposition
This is how the Bible defines sin
1.      Works of the flesh (Rom 7:25 and Gal 5:19-21)
2.      Breach of the law (1 John 3:4)
3.      Faithlessness (Rom 14:23)
This is what the Bible states as the consequences of sin
1.      Temporary Punishment
a.      Natural Penalties (Rom 1:27, Gal 6:7-8)
b.      Legal Penalties (Rom 13: 3,4)
2.      Permanent Punishment or the Second Death (Rom 6:23, Rev 20:14; 21: 8)
This is how the New Covenant in the Blood of Jesus sets us free from sin
1.      Condemnation (consequences) set aside through faith in Jesus (John 3:16-17, Rom 8:1, Gal 2:16)
2.      Empowered by the Spirit to excel the law (Mat 5:17-20; Rom 8:2-4; 1 John 3:9)
3.      Walking in the Spirit leaves no room for the flesh (Gal 5:16)

Conclusion
If you want to be set free, the first step you need to take is to put your faith in Christ Jesus, that He died to pay for your sins, and to make you holy for God’s Spirit to live in you.
If you have faith in Christ, it is useless to try and live by the law in your own strength. The standard of Christ is higher than the law and His Holy Spirit provides the power to meet that standard. His aim is to make you so outstanding in character that people will notice your good works and come to Him for salvation.

If you have Christ, but still feel overcome by the desires of the flesh, then it means you are being idle with the things of the Spirit. You can overcome sin: Arise and shine; Get up and Walk in the things of the Spirit. Expose your Fruit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control) and put your Spiritual Gifts to work (go and preach the good news, tell people the mind of God, teach people from the Bible, pray and care for God’s work and people) 

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