11 So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus. 12 Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. 13 Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. 14 Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.
Years ago, I found myself taking on too much responsibility. At first, I thought that revealed motivation and obedience. As weariness set in, however, I realized that I was actually adding my own tasks to what God was truly asking of me. In searching my heart, I recognized my true motive behind the excess work: an attempt to prove that I was adequate.
Insecurity, a sense of inadequacy, and lack of self-worth often lead to transgression. And the Bible tells us that a recurring pattern of wrongdoing indicates captivity to sin. So how can we break free from its hold?
Of course, freedom is impossible without Jesus. His death and resurrection bridged the gap that sin caused between us and God. With the Lord's help, we take these steps and walk on the road of restoration:
- First, recognize enslavement to sin. This can be difficult, as we may have a blind spot to things that are obvious to others.
- Second, trace sin to its root. Many times a lack of intimacy, identity, or self-worth will work its way to the surface, and we try to satisfy or escape those feelings.
- Third, choose to be free. This involves believing God's promise that He can liberate us. It also means becoming familiar with the truth of who Christ is—and who we are in Him.
For more biblical teaching and resources from Dr. Charles Stanley, please visit www.intouch.org.
6 comments:
I believe because "Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace." and because we are born anew.
Blessings
cas
"Do I believe that He can break the enslavement of sin..?" Of course He can. He can do anything that he wants but we need to open ourselves fully to Him.
Oh that we would all fully open our hearts to Him. How blessed we are to be under His grace. That we would know what that truly means, and what we are saved from.
I love the third, "Choose to be Free"...what a terrific day it is when we are free of sin versus those days where we faulter...
Great comments from everyone. God's given us the keys to be free...ditto DSC on the 'choose to be free' line
Do I believe God will do this if I am faithful and do His will?Sometimes very easy, other times very difficult. Sometimes we have to go on blind faith.
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