Free from the Power of Sin
This past weekend, I was struck with a question as I reflected on what Jesus accomplished through His death and resurrection: Does the church genuinely appreciate Jesus’ defeat of sin and death? My entire life, I have heard that Jesus died for the forgiveness of sins, and this is true. Believers realize they are forgiven because of Jesus’ atoning work on the cross. This fact alone is magnificent. However, do we understand that God not only forgives us but He also defeated the powers of sin and death for those in Christ?
Jesus took sin on himself as the atoning sacrifice for the world.[1] He also disarmed the powers and authorities of sin and death. Consequently, the saints are no longer under the control of sin. We are now bound to righteousness.[2] The whole world lies under the power of the evil one. But not us.[3] Following are a few examples of our freedom:
When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.[4]
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.[5]
For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin.[6]
Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.[7]
The passages of Scripture above describe our freedom in Christ. Of course, we are surrounded by evil. But we are no longer subjects to it. We are citizens of heaven and subjects of the king, Jesus. Satan accosts us, but we stand firm in the power of the Spirit. We can sin; that is, we are able to sin, but we are not obligated to do so.[8] If you feel oppressed by sin or evil, please know that Jesus has freed you from those powers. Call on Him and He will help you. You can live righteously because God has made you righteous in Christ.[9]
I hope this short post encourages you to live in the freedom that Jesus purchased for you. God bless you as you journey through this world with the Holy Spirit of God and with your brothers and sisters in Christ.
[1] 1 John 2:1–2
[2] Romans 6:15–19
[3] 1 John 5:18–21
[4] Colossians 2:13–15, NIV
[5] 1 Peter 2:24, ESV
[6] Romans 6:5–7, NASB1995
[7] Romans 8:1–2, NRSVUE
[8] Romans 8:9–17
[9] 2 Corinthians 5:21