Freedom in Christ

A few months ago, I wrote a post entitled “Slave to Sin” (link). It was more-or-less my thoughts about Romans 7 and Paul’s conflict with sin. I think many of us can identify with Paul and what he is saying in those few verses – we feel that we do what we do not want to do. We feel stuck in sin. We feel trapped.

However, God does not want to keep us there.

“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to the cross and crucified them there.” (Galations 5:24)

If we have really nailed our sinful desires to the cross, why aren’t we living that way?

What are you still holding on to? What do you think that cross isn’t big enough for? What do you think the nail isn’t strong enough for? (Maybe the hammer seems too heavy? – P.S. It’s not too heavy for God)

Sometimes, I confess, the nails don’t feel strong enough – they look weak. I feel that maybe I’m better equipped to hold on to these desires (and/or lies).

However, in Christ, we are new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17). “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm then and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery” – Galations 5:1.

“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.” (Eph. 2:3-5)

“...walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.” (Galations 5:16-17)

“Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in EVERY PART of our lives. Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.” (emphasis mine) (Gal. 5:25-26)

He has set us free (Ro. 8:2, Ro. 7:6, John 8:36, Heb. 9:15, and many others…). As the imagery in Galations 5 suggests – let us remember that our sinful desires are nailed to the cross, crucified there – let us leave them there. “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light” (Eph. 5:8).

Lord, thank you for your mercy. Thank you for grace. And thank you for setting me free - you have set me free, but I feel you’ve only just begun to really, truly set me free. Teach me, daily, to walk in the Spirit. Pick up the hammer, and I will hold the nail. I surrender all.

All to Jesus I surrender;
Humbly at His feet I bow,
Worldly pleasures all forsaken
Take me, Jesus, take me now

All to Jesus I surrender;
All to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him
In His presence daily live.
I surrender all (hymn) - Judson W. Van DeVenter