You don’t have to sin
For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—because anyone who has died has been freed from sin. Romans 6:6–7 (NIV)
You don’t have to sin. You are no longer a slave to sin. Thank God Almighty — you have been set free from sin! (Romans 6:7–8).
The problem is most of us live thinking we don’t have this choice. If the enemy can get us to believe we’re still slaves to sin, then he can keep us stumbling without engaging in battle.
The Apostle Paul is not saying we’ll never sin again. We are human. We will make mistakes, requiring us to fall on God’s grace.
What Paul is saying is that sin is no longer natural to us. It was natural for the old you, who was put to death with Jesus Christ but it is not natural to the new you, who is alive in Christ.
I’ve seen this in people with addictions. They believe the lie that they have no choice but to feed their addictions. This erroneous belief guides their behavior, like a victim who thinks he is controlled by others and has no choice or is not empowered to make choices on his own.
The blood of Jesus Christ broke the power of sin in our lives. When we face temptation, we’re free to say “No!” The Holy Spirit within us gives us the power to make the right decision — but the choice is still ours.
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This devotional © Copyright 2013 Jon Walker. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
