Romans 4-7

We have the choice!

"Even so, consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus." (Romans 6:11)

For the Christians out there, how many of you realize how free you have become in Christ? Paul uses three chapters to convince us of our freedom from sin (6-8). But how many times have you heard a believer rationalize their defeat to sin saying, "The devil made me do it," "I can't help it, I was born that way," "My mom had the same problem," "I just can't knock it," or "We'll never stop sinning this side of glory anyway."

The problem for many of these believers is that they don't understand that victory is possible... all because they don't realize that victory has already been achieved! I was reminded of a great analogy last night, slavery. When a slave is freed, it is hard to comprehend the ramifications of it. If the old master comes back and asks the slave to do something, many times the slave may do it, not because he wants to, but because he has always had to. He forgets that he is no longer held captive to do that master's will. In fact, he is no longer to be called a slave at all!

Spiritually-young believers too often live out this same scenario in their faith walks. Only as they realize their freedom in Christ will they be able to claim a victory that is already theirs. As we walk by the Spirit of God, we are empowered to live the victorious Christian life. Gone are the excuses, because they hold no power over us. The only power sin has over us now is what we let it have! (Romans 6:12)

It was for freedom that Christ set us free. We must not again submit ourselves to the yoke of sin that it might rule over us. Christian, you have a choice today. When we first accept Christ, we are freed for the first time to choose whom we would obey. Before Christ, we were slaves of sin, held captive by Satan to do his will, blinded towards and repulsed by the will of God. Yet now, with the Spirit of God as our Counselor and Strength, we have for the first time in our existence the chance to choose. We can choose to submit to sin or to our Savior.

What struggle have you given up fighting? Today, be reminded that victory has been granted to you and that success lies in the appropriation of that truth to your experience. Seek God, seek His grace, then walk in truth, considering yourself freed from sin.