No Longer Slaves to Sin

"For we know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin." (Romans 6:6)

Our old, unregenerated self was crucified with Christ in order that our sinful desires would be done away with. The chains are gone; we have been set free. Christ's death on the cross paid the penalty for our sin and set us free from slavery to sin. We are no longer enslaved to the old sinful nature. Through Christ's suffering and death, He destroyed the power of sin so that we may be dead to sin and alive in Him.  As a result, we now ought to live by the Spirit and live for God and His will, not live the rest of our earthly lives for evil human desires or worldly pleasures. "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." (Galatians 5:24-25) Die to self and sin. Live to glorify God, not gratify selves. Walk in newness of life serving God, not sin. 

Sin has no power over us. Instead, under a new management (grace), we (because of the Holy Spirit in us) have the power to say no to sin. "For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace." (Romans 6:14) “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and Godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope--the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good.” (Titus 2:11-14) 

Paul wants us to know about our union with Christ (being identified with His death and resurrection), to reflect on our position in Christ (dead to sin but alive to God), and to live it out (by refusing to yield our body to the service of sin as an instrument of wickedness and by surrendering all to God to serve Him as an instrument of righteousness). "Don't you know that when offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey--whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness...leading to holiness." (Romans 6:16-18, 19b) This is the transformation that follows our salvation! We cannot serve two masters. We cannot be servants of sin and servants of God; we must choose one or the other. It is not possible to please God and continue to live in sin at the same time.

"Do not ask, "How far may I go, and yet be guiltless?" 

Rather ask,
"How may I walk more closely with God?"
"How may I enjoy most of the love of Christ?"
"How shall I best glorify my Father in Heaven?" 
...
Above all, bear witness for Christ in the world by a very holy and consistent life...

Keep a very tender conscience.

Don't make light of little sins, as many think them. Little acts . . .
of dishonesty,
of selfishness,
of neglect,
of indulged vanity,
of pride and self-conceit,...
of petty deceits and half-untruths--
who can tell how much harm is often done by these things, and to what far greater evils they often lead?

Do not judge of sin by the standard of those around you, but . . .
in the light of God's Word,
in the light of the cross, and
in remembrance of the day of judgment." (George Everard)

Prayer: Thank You, Abba Father, for Christ's death on the cross! It is there that my sins are forgiven and I've been set free. Please help me to daily die to self and walk in freedom to serve You and others. I'm so happy and blessed to become Your bondservant. Please enable me to serve you faithfully with a grateful and obedient heart. Please empower me to say no to temptations, ungodliness, worldliness, and sin. In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen.