FREEDOM – THE VICTORY

God has changed our status from sinner to righteous, and our realm from the dominion of darkness to the kingdom of God over which Jesus rules as Lord. Now we are free to live under His rule and by His power.

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”

2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT

However, we still have the old nature in us as well as God’s likeness, His nature, restored in us. Now there is a war going on in us, the flesh against the Spirit.

“So, I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses.”

Galatians 5:16-18 NLT

So, what’s the solution to this ongoing battle between our old and new natures?

Potentially, our old life is dead. We have been given a fresh start, like being born all over again, but with a new disposition – towards God, not against Him. We have been restored to our original status as God’s children. We are no longer His enemies.

“See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are!… Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure.”

1 John 3:1-3 NLT

This new status comes with an obligation to live like God’s children, no longer giving in to the desires, demands, and cravings of our old sinful natures.

“We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus. Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. 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. 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.”

Romans 6:6-7, 11-14 NLT

“Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.”

Romans 8:12-14 NLT

“Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.“ Colossians 3:10 NLT

This is Paul’s way of saying that we continually have choices to make, our way or God’s way? The Holy Spirit lives in us and leads us by revealing God’s way to us as we have internalised truth from God’s Word.

However, the Spirit gives us power to obey only when we choose to do the right thing. Our new nature becomes stronger when we choose to obey Jesus, weaker when we choose to do our own will. God has provided for every need and situation, but we must appropriate that grace by believing and acting upon His promises.

“By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvellous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.”

2 Peter 1:3-4 NLT

Through Jesus, the Holy Spirit activates every promise when we receive it by faith.

“For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory.”

2 Corinthians 1:20 NLT

There is one more obstacle to a life a freedom from sin’s power and its consequence, which are the source of bondage and behaviour patterns that confirm that bondage…