You're Free, Live Free
Many resent what they do. They cry, hate themselves, consider suicide, but are scared to talk to anyone. Some Christians even accept that they are weak, bound, can’t help themselves and ultimately walk away from God because they feel it's impossible to repent and be restored.
What makes repentance possible for us is the mercy of God manifested through the blood of Jesus shed on the cross for us. Living in sin is rejecting the price Jesus paid…the very essence of Easter.
“For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.” (Titus 2:11-14 NLT)
Jesus died on our behalf to redeem us from every kind of sin. To redeem means to deliver. The idea of redemption from “every kind of sin” confirms the preexistence of bondage to sin, which suggests that Satan keeps us in bondage through sin. Before redemption, sin had the right to keep us in bondage. We were all enslaved people under its control and had no strength to resist Satan’s authority. We couldn't say no when Satan wanted us to sin. Jesus paid a ransom or price through his death and resurrection to purchase our freedom legally. And that’s what Easter is all about.
Choosing to live in sin is rejecting the price Jesus paid for our freedom.
No matter what sin you are struggling with, for example, lust, pride, selfishness, bitterness, envy, pornography, theft, have the confidence to accept the freedom God offers. That's precisely what the prodigal son did. There was no prayer or “deliverance service” for him. After wasting the wealth he received, he soon regretted his choices. Yet even in that state, he recognized he could choose to return home and seek forgiveness from his father. Guess what? Satan could not hold him back. It was his life, and he was the chief steward, not Satan, demons or any sin. He got up and walked out! Choose to do same! Walk out of that sin, pain, disease and depression!!
That is exactly what Paul meant when he said to 'put off' sin: “But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.” (Colossians 3:8 KJV). Paul suggests you can remove sin and fling it just like you would take off and toss away your shirt.
"If you belong to Christ Jesus, God’s Spirit has given you a new life. God’s Spirit now rules in your life and has made you free. Sin and death no longer have authority over you." (Romans 8:2 EASY) Jesus has redeemed us from all iniquity; every authority of sin to keep us hostage. He offered his life on our behalf to suffer the wrath of God. He sacrificed his blood to satisfy the justice of God. After satisfying the wrath for our freedom on the cross, He went to hell to defeat Satan and take back the authority that made it possible for Satan to rule over us through sin, sickness, and death.
Jesus’ blood covers every sin. "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;" (Ephesians 1:7 KJV) If what Jesus has done cannot set you free from sin, then you are out of options. Nothing else will. There's no way you will ever, ever, ever be free. That’s why you must believe that the answer to your freedom from sin lies in Jesus’ death and resurrection. While it may take some time until you are fully restored, that isn’t as important as making the first choice to get up and walk away
The prodigal son’s father had been waiting all this while to receive him. Without listening to his apology and how he got himself into all that mess, he immediately organized a party to celebrate his return. His life was more precious than anything he had done. His father had forgiven him long before his return and, all the while, he wasted his life and suffered like some of us are doing now…
You are not in a hopeless situation. The forgiveness of God is available for you today. You can choose to turn away from sin and to God and righteousness. You can choose to accept freedom in Jesus today, get up and walk out of any sin. Through Jesus’ death, you are no longer a slave to sin. Accept your freedom and live in it!
You are free, live free!
♫ I'm no longer a slave to fear, I am a child of God
We've been liberated…From our bondage…We're the sons and the daughters…Let us sing our freedom.♫
