Free from Sin
“Knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, that our body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin.” – Romans 6:6-7Romans 6:6-7
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
7 For he that is dead is freed from sin. freed: Gr. justified
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Having died with Christ, believers are no longer under sin’s control.
Years ago a book with the amusing title “It Ain’t Gonna Reign No More” appeared. Though humorous, that title aptly summarizes the believer’s relationship to sin. Christians still commit sins but are no longer under sin’s dominion.
When we were united with Christ in His death (Rom. 6:5Rom. 6:5
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
WP-Bible plugin), “our old self was crucified with Him” (verse 6). Our “old self” equals what we were before salvation—lost in sin and bound for Hell. It is the unregenerate nature we inherited from Adam (Rom. 5:12Rom. 5:12
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: for that: or, in whom
WP-Bible plugin; 1 Cor. 15:221 Cor. 15:22
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
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Some argue that believers now have both an old and new nature—a sort of spiritual split personality. The conflict between those two natures, they believe, is responsible for the struggles of the Christian life, as the believer strives to crucify his old self. But notice that Paul does not command us to crucify our old self; he tells us that has already happened (cf. Gal. 2:20Gal. 2:20
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
WP-Bible plugin; Col. 3:9-10Col. 3:9-10
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
WP-Bible plugin). The expression “that our body of sin might be done away with” approaches this same truth from a slightly different perspective. It notes the close connection between the body and sin (Rom. 8:10, 13Rom. 8:10, 13
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
WP-Bible plugin) and describes the absolute domination of sin in the life of an unbeliever. That domination is broken at salvation.
Paul is not teaching, however, that believers’ sin natures have been eradicated, and hence they no longer sin. The Greek word translated “done away with” does not mean “destroyed” but “rendered inoperative” or “deprived of its strength, influence, or power.” Christians are no longer slaves to sin; its tyranny in our lives has been broken.
Be encouraged today in your battle with sin because though it is still a dangerous enemy, sin is no longer your master.
Suggestions for Prayer:
Praise God for delivering you from sin’s power. Pray that He would deliver you from sin’s presence in your life.
For Further Study:
Read the following passages: Romans 6:19Romans 6:19
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.
WP-Bible plugin; 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 6:19-201 Corinthians 6:19-20
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
WP-Bible plugin. What is your part in the battle against sin? What practical steps can you take to more effectively defeat sin in your life?
From Strength for Today by John MacArthur Copyright © 1997. Used by permission of Crossway Books, a division of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187, www.crossway.com.
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