Experiencing Freedom – Susan Barnes “And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death” (Romans 8:2).
Here are three ways we are freed from the power of sin that leads to death. First, we are free from the law (Galatians 5:18). If we’re driven by the need to obey the law, or if we’re worried about whether we’re obeying all of God’s requirements, or if we ever wonder whether we are doing enough to please God, we aren’t free. This isn’t how God intends us to live. Instead, he wants us to be motivated by his Spirit within us and his Spirit brings liberty.
Second, we are free from our pasts and no longer a slave to sin. Slavery was abolished in America on 18th December 1865. How many slaves were there on 19th December? There should have been none. However, many continued to live like slaves because they weren’t told they were free. And even those who knew they were free continued to live as slaves because it was all they had ever known. We are now sons and daughters of God. Our past no longer dictates our future. We’re free to live in newness of life.
Third, we are free from the reminders of past sin. We’re free from guilt, shame and condemnation (Romans 8:1). Jesus died to free us from all sin, past, present and future and as we accept his forgiveness into our lives, we’re truly free.
Living by faith means agreeing with God’s assessment. Let’s believe what God says about us. That we belong to him and can enjoy the freedom he bought for us.
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