FREE AT LAST

Romans 6 & 1 John 3

(Please read these chapters before reading the following article.)

“We know that our old life was put to death on the cross with Christ. This happened so that our sinful selves would have no power over us. Then we would not be slaves to sin.” –Romans 6:6 ERV

One evening when Leon Patillo was a guest speaker at a church I attended a number of years ago he was sharing about just what it was that could pull Christians down and tear them apart.  To make the point he paced back and forth in front of the church saying, “What is it that can grip the souls of believers?  What is it that is constantly pulling at them?  What is it…?”  At this point a 4 year old boy in the front row exuberantly shouted out, “JESUS!” Mr. Patillo paused for a moment, then smiled and responded, “I hear you brother, but if it was Jesus our troubles would all be over.”  He went on to explain that it was sin.  It was when we allowed sin to rule and control us that we were pulled away from the Lord.  If only we allowed Jesus to control us then our troubles would be over.

“Surely you know that you become the slaves of whatever you give yourselves to. Anything or anyone you follow will be your master. You can follow sin, or you can obey God. Following sin brings spiritual death, but obeying God makes you right with him.” –Romans 6:16 ERV

In verse 16 Paul explains that whatever controls us is our master.  We are slaves to whatever we allow to control us.  Is it really that simple?  Yes it is.  If you pursue selfish desires (those that gratify your physical wishes and wants) then they will control you, but if you want to be free from the control of those sins then put God first: as your Master and as the Head of your life.

“In the past you were slaves to sin—sin controlled you. But thank God, you fully obeyed what you were taught.  You were made free from sin, and now you are slaves to what is right… now you are free from sin. You have become slaves of God, and the result is that you live only for God. This will bring you eternal life.” –Romans 6:17-18, 22 ERV

Do not just decide to allow Him to be your Lord and Master, but rather make it a daily purposeful decision and establish Him as such; “…the result is that you live only for God…” and you will really be “free at last!”

“No one born (begotten) of God [deliberately, knowingly, and  habitually] practices sin, for God’s nature abides in him [His principle of life, the divine sperm, remains permanently within him]; and he cannot practice sinning because he is born (begotten) of God.” -1 John 3:9 AMP

FORGIVING JUDAS

When I accepted the Lord as my Savior years ago I was told that I could have a “personal” relationship with Him.  Over the past 41 years I have learned more and more about Him as I study His Word and spend quality time with Him in worship and prayer.  The result: a close personal relationship with my Lord that I would not trade for the entire world.  This morning I read an article by Scott Harrup (the Managing Editor of the Pentecostal Evangel) that talked about Jesus as our dearest Friend but he also noted that we can take this relationship for granted.  Mr. Harrup said it in a nutshell when he wrote, “It’s almost as if, having lived for some months or years within the reality of a saving faith, we expect the attendant blessings as our due.”  As I read the article I was humbled to realize that I was taking God for granted:  knowing I was saved and believing all He promised I had an attitude of entitlement (I thought I was supposed to receive all He has to give me).  After all, are we not taught to believe in His promises?  What I realized is that I should believe His promises but recognize that He does not have to give them but rather chooses to give and stand by them.  Why, not because of anything I have done or am but because He loves me.

“Behold, for peace I had great bitterness: but thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption: for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back.”  Isaiah 38:17 KJV

“He didn’t have to die for me.”  Our Youth Director shared this statement given by one of the children in our youth group with me recently.  The Youth Director went on to share that the full reality that Jesus was not forced to give up His life but that He chose to had dawned upon this child.  My salvation is another thing I tend to take for granted.  When I realized this morning that I was taking both my salvation and my personal relationship with the Lord for granted I asked His forgiveness.  As I contemplated how He is “Faithful to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness,” my thoughts cried out with the song writer when he wrote:    “Amazing love, how can it be, that Thou my Lord shouldst die for me?!”   

I have found that it is through His forgiveness that I can recognize His true love for me.  How deeply does His forgiveness run?  He forgave Judas, the one who betrayed Him up to His torturers with a kiss of friendship.  Now THAT is forgiveness; now THAT is love!

“I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.”  Isaiah 43:25 KJV

“For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.”  Heb. 8:12 KJV

“And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.”  Heb. 10:17 KJV