We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin. Romans 6:6-7
Lent Day 2 – Set Us Free From Sin
No longer enslaved. I have read books and seen movies where people who were enslaved in their physical lives wished for the escape of death so they could finally be free.
The dead man is a slave no longer in the physical sense.
Many, many African-American spirituals are about heaven. About dying and then being free in the afterlife.
A Slave No Longer
But we don’t have to wait until we die to be free from the bondage of sin. From the sins that entangle our minds, causing anxiety and worry and fear and that feeling of being trapped. Enslaved, unable to break free.
We can die and yet live. Right here on earth.
Die to Self
When we identify with Jesus, accepting the gift of His death in our place, our old self (the sin-trapped self inside of us)is crucified with Him.
But it does not stop there. We are raised to new life. A life of freedom from sin.
Freedom. No longer slaves.
Which One Will You Be?
Imagine the slaves on the plantation of a master who is cruel and forbidding. There is an old man working in the fields alongside his young grandson. They have both been trapped in service to this master since their births.
Then, suddenly, the word comes that a law has been passed. They can choose freedom. All they have to do is leave what they have always known.
The old man immediately gathers his meager belongings and joyfully sets out. Then, he realizes that his grandson is still working the field.
“I have plenty of time to leave,” the grandson says in the face of his grandfather’s pleas for him to step into freedom. “This is all I have ever known. It isn’t good, but it is comfortable in a way.”
What?
We can’t imagine choosing slavery when we have the option of freedom. It seems completely foreign to us.
But sometimes, I choose to stay in sin when I could have freedom. Complete and total freedom in Christ.
Which of these two slaves will we be today? The one who chooses to stay ensnared in sin or the one who chooses to step into freedom and true joy?
Action Step:
The focus for today is REPENTANCE!
Repentance: not just being sorry for our sin, though that is a part of it. Also, turning away from it and choosing to do what is right instead.
Search your heart. What pops to mind that needs an adjustment in your heart or actions? What do you need to ask God to forgive you for and choose to go His way instead of your own?
I know I need to do heart checks. I need to ask the Holy Spirit to show me the sins that I slide into without meaning to so I can ask to be set free from the bondage of sin.
Prayer:
Dear God, thank You that You long for us to have freedom and true joy. You don’t leave us enslaved to our sin. You sent Your son to die in our place so that our slavery is put to death and we rise in life and freedom with Christ. What a gift You have given us! We are so grateful! In Jesus’ name, amen.
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