Carol J German

Galatians 5:1 says, “So, Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.” To remain free, we need to understand who we are in our sin and who Christ is and what He did for us.

Paul explained the depravity of our sin in the first chapters of Romans. Then he led us to Christ and what faith looks like through Abraham. We know that faith brings joy, exuberant joy! Today, we are going to study Romans 6. Paul is teaching us how sin’s power is completely shattered at the feet of Jesus. This is great news! Go ahead and read chapter 6.

Paul starts out asking a question, “Should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of His wonderful grace?” 

ASK YOURSELF: How does Paul answer the question, see verses 2-4? 

It is good to know that we are not free to live how we want to when we come to faith in Christ. We lived independently beforehand where we were enslaved to the ways of the world. When we come to Christ, we take a different path which joins us to Him. Joining ourselves with Jesus means we die to our human nature and live the way God wants us to. We learn how by studying God’s Word, which you are doing now. So, kudos to you!

Paul says that “we died and were buried with Christ by baptism.” This means we immerse ourselves in following God, giving Him 100%. He went all the way in saving and redeeming us. We are to give up of ourselves for Him in the same fashion. He gives us new lives, according to verse 4.

We are united with Christ in death and also in life. Our old, sinful natures were crucified with Him on the cross.

ASK YOURSELF: From verse 6, what happens to our sinful natures? What does verse 7 say?

We are set free! This is the best news ever! We are free to be who God intended us to be. My friend, this is greater than any goal or dream you can conjure up for yourself. With all the wonderful things we can accomplish and achieve in this world, freedom in Christ goes beyond an Olympic gold medal or winning the Super Bowl or saying you are a millionaire. I pray that you let God show you His amazing love.

Let’s continue on in seeing why walking in Christ is the best thing to happen in your life.

For one thing, we get to live with Christ. Paul says we can be sure of this because Jesus is our living God. He will never die again.

Death no longer has any power over Christ. He broke the power of sin.

ASK YOURSELF: What does Christ live for, see verse 10?

This is what we live for, for God to receive all the glory. 

ASK YOURSELF: How do we consider ourselves as believers, look at verse 11?

Verses 12- 14 tells us how to live freely apart from this world:

1. Do not let sin control the way you live.
2. Do not give in to sinful desires.
3. Keep your body clean from serving evil in any way.
4. Give yourself completely to God.
5. Use your whole body to do what is right for the glory of God.
6. Enjoy and experience living under the freedom of God’s grace.

Notice how Paul asks the same question that he did in verse 1 in verse 15. He wants us to understand that it is not okay to keep sinning when Jesus is residing within our hearts! He did not leave heaven and die the horrendous death that He did for you and I to keep living like nothing has happened.

ASK YOURSELF: What does Paul want you to realize in verse 16? Which choice do you choose?

Pay attention to what Paul says in verses 17-18. Once you were a slave to sin, now you have become a slave to righteous living. Paul says our human nature is weak. We follow the ways of this world rather easily. Put sweets in front of me, I am a glutton. Who cares that sugar is addicting like cocaine? But because Jesus lives within me, He wants me to take care of my body so I try to eat smaller portions. Notice, I try. Sometimes I do good and sometimes I don’t, and then I regret it when I can’t sleep. 

ASK YOURSELF: How is your flesh, your human nature weak? 

Paul ends this section of study with, previously we were slaves to impurity and lawlessness. We want to do what we want to do, don’t we? We think that no one has a right to infringe on my rights. This is evident during this pandemic. But now, we must give ourselves to be slaves to righteous living.

ASK YOURSELF: What do we become when we live righteously, see verse 19? 

ASK YOURSELF: What is the result in living free from the obligation to do right, according to verse 20? From verse 21, what is the end result?

Praise God that our destiny changes from eternal doom to eternal glory with God! We now live for God. When we follow Jesus and live according to the Bible, we will receive holiness and eternal life.

Verse 23 is a verse that has been memorized by many. I encourage you to memorize it if you haven’t done so already, then go and praise God for what He has done for you! Bask in God’s amazing freedom!

While we are learning to live free in Christ, let’s fight for those who are enslaved against their wills. Let’s unite together and expose the lies that keeps so many entangled at the hands of the devil. The best line of defense is on our knees in prayer! The devil is rendered useless, powerless and helpless at the name of Jesus! Once we pray, we rise up and speak out and tell the world the Good News of Jesus! This gives Satan the one two punch!

We are called to freedom for ourselves and to lead others to experience it too.