Freedom isn’t “free”; there is always a “cost” involved. Some think that the concept of freedom means they can do whatever they please, however, freedom has parameters, obligations, and responsibilities that we must stay within in order to enjoy the “freedom” we have been given.
“It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1 (NASB)
The reason we are admonished to “keep standing firm” …in our freedom, is that it is easy to slip back into the “yoke of slavery” (bondage) we had just been delivered from if we are not watchful of what we do.
“For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.” Romans 6:14
Through the Cross, Jesus destroyed the power of sin that had kept mankind in bondage since Adam sinned in the Garden of Eden. Jesus delivered us (set us free) from the “yoke of slavery” that sin had us controlled with. It is interesting to read the verses that precede Romans 6:14 to “keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.” What are the parameters, obligations, and responsibilities we have to meet in order to enjoy the freedom from sin that Jesus set us free to enjoy?
Romans 6:11-14
11 Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts,
13 and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.
14 For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.” Romans 6:11-14 (NASB)
That’s a pretty simple “formula for freedom”: Jesus set us free from the power of sin. Therefore, if we consider ourselves dead to sin and don’t continue to willfully sin (“go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness”), “but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God”; sin will no longer be our master.
“It was for freedom that Christ set us free;…” However, in order to stay “free”, there is a “price” for us to pay; we have some choices to make.
*** Fred Wilson *** is an author, former coach, teacher and Life and Liberty News Contributor
