When In Romans: Finding Freedom in Christ
When In Romans: Finding Freedom in Christ
Romans 6-7 teaches us powerful truths about freedom from sin and walking in new life through Christ. In this passage, the apostle Paul stresses the key differences between justification and sanctification - both part of our experience in Christ.
He also tackles questions like Is the law good or bad? Does grace encourage more sin? How can we live free from guilt and shame?
We've all made mistakes and done things we regret. It's part of being human. But it can be easy to let guilt and shame keep us from fully embracing God's grace and forgiveness. We will explore the path to freedom from guilt and condemnation, and discover how to restore our relationship with God.
Justification and Sanctification
God Sees Us Through the Blood of Jesus.
When we are born again, God instantly justifies us. What does this mean? Justification is when God sees us through "rose-colored glasses." He sees us through the blood of Jesus, not through our imperfections and flaws. Our life is now hidden in Christ, forever entwined with Him. This is our new identity.
Sanctification is also instantaneous at the new birth, but it is progressive. Sanctification is the ongoing cleansing and renewal as we walk with Christ daily. Paul explains it like washing dirty hands - you may wash thoroughly and have clean hands for a time, but you must keep washing daily in this unclean world.
So justification is what God does for us, declaring us righteous in Christ. Sanctification is what God does in us, transforming us to be more like Jesus.
Dying to Sin, Living to God
For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection. (Romans 6:5)
Paul says dying to sin is only half of what happens at the new birth. We aren't just forgiven for our sins. We are also resurrected - raised to new life with Christ! We now have the power to walk in freedom and victory.
Our baptism in Christ changes us from the inside out. We go down in the waters as one person, but we come up completely new. The old is gone, the new has come! (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Paul uses the illustrations of a master and slave to describe this change. We used to be slaves to sin and the flesh. But now we have a new master - Jesus Christ. He gives us a new want to. Our deepest desires are transformed by His love and grace.
But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. (Romans 6:22)
Don't believe the myth that grace gives you a license to sin more. True grace leads you into a deeper relationship with Jesus, not away from Him. There are no more gray areas or fence-sitting. We must be all in, fully devoted to our new Master.
From Guilt and Shame to Peace and Joy
Only Jesus Can Cure the Disease of Sin
In Romans 7, Paul explains that trying to follow the law only showed how incapable we were of saving ourselves. The law diagnosed the disease of sin but could never cure it. Only Jesus could do that.
Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another. (Romans 7:4)
When we come to Christ, it's like a divorce from a bad marriage to the world and sin. Now we can be remarried to our true love, Jesus. Even though temptation still comes, we are no longer chained to it. Sin is not our master anymore.
The enemy uses guilt and shame to keep us from running freely to God. But Romans 8:1 assures us, "There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." We never have to carry guilt from our past. Jesus paid for it all!
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)
This new life in Christ is a gift we could never earn. It's given to us out of His amazing grace and love. All we have to do is humbly receive it, trusting in Him.
May we lay aside condemnation and walk in the freedom and forgiveness Christ died to provide. There is no sweeter place than resting in the arms of a loving Father.
Receiving God's Forgiveness
God Stands Ready to Welcome Us Home
It reminds us that God's grace is not a license to sin, but rather a guide back to intimacy with God. When we try to straddle the fence between God's kingdom and the world, we stay alive to sin. But choosing to walk fully in the Spirit helps put sin to death in our lives.
No matter where we've been or what we've done, God stands ready to welcome us home. He loves us and wants a relationship with us.
What do we need to do? Simply receive God's gift of forgiveness, lay down our guilt and shame, and walk joyfully back into a close relationship with our Heavenly Father.
You may have failed 100 times, but His grace abounds all the more. This is the gospel of grace that frees us to live boldly and victoriously, leaving condemnation behind. Like the father in the Parable of the Prodigal Son, God eagerly awaits our return. Will we run back home today?
"God, today I receive your forgiveness. I lay down the guilt, the shame, and I walk towards you."
