FREE AT LAST! Our Power over Bondage

Someone once described the typical Christian’s life as being like an old, iron bedstead: firm on both ends, and sagging in the middle. We’re firm on the past—we’ve been saved. We’re firm in our prospects—we’re going to heaven. But now—well, there’s the problem. If we could only see that the same grace that will bring us to the sweet bye and bye will bring us through the nasty now and now!

Consider Paul’s words in Romans 6:5-7, “For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin.”

That powerful grace which justifies us and will glorify us, can also sanctify us! We are set free from the penalty of sin and one day from the very presence of sin, but further—right now—we are set free from the power of sin. That’s what Romans chapter six is all about.

Paul understood well the charge that some legalists would make, that if you preach grace, then some would use it as an excuse for sin. He also anticipated that some libertines on the opposite end of the spectrum would promote that very error. The thought would be, “I’ll pray to receive Christ, but then I’ll continue to live like I always have.” It would be like someone using God for a mere fire insurance policy. The problem is, this isn’t liberty, but license. Grace isn’t the privilege to do what you want, but the power to do what you ought! Freedom isn’t being enslaved to carnal desires, but being empowered to do God’s will.

You come to God on His terms. They aren’t open for negotiation. He’s the King and you are not. The essence of sin is self—you want to be your own god and run your own life. The essence of salvation is surrender to Christ—He becomes Lord. Your life comes under new management.

Now, some might hesitate to yield to Christ, for fear that they are too weak to keep their commitment. Don’t forget this point we are making: the good news is that God doesn’t just free us from sin’s penalty but from its power. If we are sincere in surrender to Him, He will be faithful to deliver us. “He who has begun a good work in you will complete it” (Phil.1:6). That is the work of God! He is able to save—from the gutter-most to the uttermost!