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Freedom Part Two
In part 1, we took a look at the freedoms that we have as citizens in our country by way of comparison with a country that is severely lacking in those freedoms (North Korea). In part 2, I would like us to consider another freedom that we enjoy as citizens of the kingdom of God. The freedom from sin. Just as we should appreciate the freedoms we have in America, we should have an even greater appreciation for the spiritual blessing of freedom from sin. We are truly blessed to live in the dispensation of the new covenant where we can obtain the forgiveness of our sins that separate us from God. This forgiveness reconciles us into a saved relationship with God. Not only are we forgiven of our sins, but God has provided us the freedom from sin so that it may not rule over us any longer. Oh how our God loves us!
There are three aspects of sin that I would like to discuss in this article. The first one is the
condemnation of sin. Everyone who reaches the age of accountability is guilty of sin. Romans 3:23 – “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.“ Even if we commit just one sin we are guilty of sin. James 2:10 –“For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.” Isaiah 59:2 tells us that sin has
separated us from God. And we know from Romans 6:23 that the wages of sin is death. We
need to be rescued from our sin! Thanks be to God there is a remedy from the
condemnation that sin brings upon us. Romans 8:1 – “There is therefore now no
condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh,
but according to the Spirit.” We now live under the law of the spirit of life in Christ which
has freed us from the law of sin and death. God sent Jesus to condemn sin in the flesh and we have been made new creatures to no longer live according to the flesh. but in the spirit. We only need to go to Galatians 5:16-26 to tell us exactly what living according to the flesh and spirit are.
Secondly, there is the power of sin. Listen to what Jesus says in John 8:34-36 “Jesus
answered them, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. 36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.’” Until we are baptized into Christ and cleansed by His blood, we are slaves to sin. Paul discusses how frustrating it is to be under the bondage of sin in Romans 7. There is indeed a battle between the flesh and the spirit. As Jesus said “...The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” So yes, sin has the power to enslave us, but God has given us the ability to be free from that power. Romans 8:5 – “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. Whereby we can enjoy peace and life for we know that the Spirit gives life.” John 6:63, “but the wages of sin is death.” And now that we have obeyed the doctrine of the gospel, we are no longer slaves of sin but have become servants of righteousness (Romans 6:17-18). As we are led by the Spirit of God, we have become children of God. And we did not receive a spirit of bondage but the spirit of adoption where we cry out "Abba, Father" (Romans 8:14-15). What an amazing transformation! We were once doomed to death by sin, but made to be joint heirs with Christ if indeed we suffer with Him (Romans 8:17).
Thirdly, there is the corruption of sin. Because of sin, mankind experiences physical death.
After Adam and Eve sinned, they were cast from the garden of Eden, thus losing access to the tree of life and physical death ensued. Because of sin, even the creation was placed under a curse (Genesis 3:17). The ground was cursed and thorns and thistles were put in man’s way to make it more difficult to provide a living. In the New Testament we get further explanation of the earth being subject to futility from Romans 8:20-22. We see evidence of the corruption of sin all around us. Certainly there are hardships on this earth that we cannot avoid. But God gives us a way to deal with them. When we are hurting or facing difficulties we can cast our care upon Him, for He cares for us (I Peter 5:7). Even more importantly, we must avoid the consequences of the corruption of sin after this physical life is over. Praise be to God that He provides that for us through the resurrection when we will receive a new body which cannot be corrupted. I Corinthians 15:50-54 50 “Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory.’” With the resurrection of the dead, the creation of a new earth and a new heaven, the corruption of sin will be extinguished! Romans 8:21-25 “21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. 23 Not only that, but we also who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. 24 For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.”
Let us be thankful that God gives us freedom from the condemnation of sin, if we are in Christ Jesus and walk according to the Spirit and not according to the flesh. Let us be thankful that God gives us freedom from the power that sin has to enslave us, so that we can be servants of righteousness. And let us be thankful to God that we can be free from the corruption of sin and be resurrected with a heavenly body suited for eternity.
Mickey Taylor
