Only Christ Offers Freedom From Sin

Sin comes when we take a perfectly natural desire or longing or ambition and try desperately to fulfill it without God. Not only is it sin, it is a perverse distortion of the image of the Creator in us. All these good things, and all our security, are rightly found only and completely in him.
-Augustine, The Confessions of Saint Augustine

How seriously do we take the problem of sin; the guilt of sin; the power of sin; the corruption of sin? Do we really appreciate the freedom from sin, enough so that we can experience it now in our lives? Or, that we can look forward to in the future?

In Romans 8:1-25, Paul writes about the freedom from sin that one finds in Christ. To appreciate more fully the blessings we have in Christ, let's consider that there is first "freedom of the condemnation of sin" (Romans 8:1-4).

Everyone is guilty of sin (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8), even if one committed just one sin (if such were possible!) -James 2:10-11. Unforgiven sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:1-2). The ultimate condemnation is death (esp. the 'second' death) -Romans 6:23; cf. Revelation 21:8. That all are guilty of sin is the main point of Romans 1-3.

There is freedom from condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1; cf. Galatians 3:27). For in Christ there is propitiation, redemption, justification (Romans 3:24-26). In baptism there is death to sin, and newness of life (Romans 6:3-8); for those who walk not according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit (Romans 8:1,4). This is explained more fully later in this lesson, and also in Paul's epistle to the Galatians (cf. Galatians 5:16-26).

This freedom of condemnation is made possible by the law (principle) of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:2). This is the law which sets one free from the law of sin and death (cf. Titus 3:4-7). In addition, it is the law of sin and death which enslaves, as mentioned in Romans 7:21-25.

I am reminded of the death of Christ (Romans 8:3-4), which, as we know, did what the Law of Moses could not do. This was condemning sin in the flesh, and fulfilling the righteous requirement of the Law for us. Allow me to point out, that "justification (no condemnation) is found in Christ" is the theme of Romans 4-7, if you'd like to study this further.

Thus the freedom from sin that we enjoy in Christ involves freedom from the condemnation of sin. But wait, there is more! There is also "freedom from the power of sin" (Romans 8:5-17).

The problem of sin is not limited to guilt, as if the guilt of sin weren't bad enough! Sin also has power to enslave a person so they can't do what they want to do!Jesus described the power of sin in John 8:31-34. The freedom under consideration is freedom from the slavery of sin. When one commits sin, they become a slave of sin!

Paul vividly depicted his life under the bondage of sin in Romans 7:14-24. Here, he tells us that: He was "sold under sin"; he could not do what he wanted, and what he did not wish to do, he did; he found that "sin dwells in me"; though he desired to do good, "how to perform what is good I do not find"; he was brought "into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members"; and it made him "wretched", crying out for deliverance from "this body of death."

We can clearly see that sin definitely has the power to enslave, and that mankind sorely needs deliverance!

But there is freedom from sin for those who live according to the Spirit, not the flesh (Romans 8:5-8). They gain freedom by setting their minds on the things of the Spirit, not the things of the flesh. Whereby, they can enjoy life and peace, not death. And they can submit to God and please Him, while those in the flesh cannot.

Freedom from sin can also be attained for those who have the indwelling Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9-11). It is a blessing for those who belong to Christ (cf. John 7:37-39; Acts 2:38; Titus 3:4-7), providing life to our mortal bodies that were dead because of sin (cf. Romans 6:12-14).

It also means freedom for those who by the Spirit put to death the deeds of the body (Romans 8:12-13). It is freedom from sin for those who are no longer indebted to live according to the flesh (cf. Romans 6:16-19), but can now live according to the Spirit (cf. Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 3:16). And, for those who are children of God, joint-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:14-17).

Yes, it is sweet freedom from sin for those who are led by the Spirit of God, by Whom they cry, "Abba, Father" (cf. Galatians 4:6), and those who are heirs of glory with Christ, if willing to suffer with Him. My dear friends, the point of all this is that with help from the Holy Spirit, we CAN break free from the bondage of sin!

Isn't that wonderful? Freedom from the condemnation of sin and the power of sin! What more could we ask for? How about "freedom from the corruption of sin" (Romans 8:18-25)!

Because of sin, mankind experiences physical death (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:22a; Genesis 3:22-24). As you recall, Adam and Eve were cast from the Garden of Eden. Access to the tree of life was lost, thus physical death ensued. Because of sin, even the creation was placed under a curse (cf. Gen 3:17). It was:

a. Subjected to futility (Romans 8:20);
b. In bondage to corruption (Romans 8:21);
c. Groaning and laboring with birth pangs (Romans 8:22; cf. Isaiah 24:4-6)

The effects of sin has spread throughout all of creation!

However, there will be freedom! There will be the glorious liberty of the children of God (Romans 8:18-22)! This is to be revealed one day (cf. Colossians 3:4; 2 Thessalonians 2:10; 2 Peter 1:13), making any present suffering unworthy to be compared. Even the creation will be delivered from the bondage of corruption.

Note that Paul does not say that the creation will be delivered into its own liberty, but into the glorious liberty of the children of God. The present heavens and earth will "pass away", and there will be new heavens and a new earth (cf. 2 Peter 3:10-14; Revelation 21:1-7).

This will involve our own resurrection, for which we hope (Romans 8:23-25); the redemption of our body, which we eagerly await (cf. Acts 23:6); and the reason we are saved for this very hope, for which we wait with perseverance (cf. Acts 24:15-16). With the resurrection of the dead, the creation of a new heaven and new earth, the corruption of sin will be no more!

In conclusion, the freedom from sin that is available in Christ involves:

a. Freedom from the condemnation of sin;
b. Freedom from the power of sin, and
c. Freedom from the corruption of sin

Unless we receive the freedom from sin found only in Christ:

a. We remain guilty of sin;
b. We remain enslaved to sin, and
c. We remain under the corruptive influences of sin

But by responding to the gospel of Christ with an obedient faith, freedom from the devastating effects of sin can be ours, with a hope of glorious liberty when Christ returns!

Scripture reference: Romans 8:1-25

Prayer:

Hear, Lord, the prayers we offer from contrite hearts.
Have pity on us as we acknowledge our sins,
And lead us back to the way of holiness. Amen

Have a blessed day,

Kelly