Freedom From Sin's Penalty and Power
Sin is the absence of faith and disagrees with what God's law says. (Romans 14:23, 1 John 3:4). When we live merely through the flesh, our desires will only rise in opposition to God's law, no matter how hard we try to keep it and we'll only be left condemned to death (Romans 7:5-15). The law can only point out sin, it can't make us righteous (Romans 3:20). The power to do right isn't found in ourselves, but in Christ (Romans 7:16-18, 8:2-4). We can only become righteous by faith in Jesus (Galatians 3:24). God changes us from the inside out and works in us to both the desire and the doing of His will (Ezekiel 36:25-27, Philippians 2:13).
It's by receiving what Christ already did for us that God sets us free from sin's power and its penalty of death so that we can live in the Spirit instead of the flesh (Colossians 1:13, Colossians 2:11-15, Romans 8:1-12). To be in the Spirit means the Holy Spirit dwells in you (Romans 8:9). The Holy Spirit also will guide you, bringing God’s word to your memory and helping you overcome temptation (John 14:26, Isaiah 30:21, Matthew 4:3-4, Romans 8:13).
God Accepts You As His Child
We are all God's offspring, for He created us and sustains our very life (Acts 17:26-28). Since God made us in the womb and even now, He sees us as wonderful and precious (Psalm 139:13-18). Though we've all wandered away like prodigals, God still sees us as His children (Luke 15:11-32, 1 John 3:1). When we see God's love for us in contrast to the selfishness of sin, this leads us to abandon sin and and live for God instead (Romans 5:8, Romans 2:4, Luke 15:17-19). God doesn't even wait for you to ask for forgiveness to forgive you, His heart is already moved with compassion for you even when you were afar off (Luke 15:20). We are to live this reality of forgiveness by extending it toward others (Matthew 6:12, 14-15).
Passed From Death Unto Life
We used to live in the “far country” or realm of sin and death, working for the father of lies, but we’ve been brought back life by faith in God’s word. (Luke 15:13-16, John 8:43-44, John 5:24, Ephesians 2:1-10, Luke 15:24). As we abide in the word, the truth as it is in Jesus sets us free from sin (John 8:31-36, Ephesians 4:17-24). By faith in the word, we’re given the power to live as children of God (John 1:12, Luke 15:22). Faith is what enables us to receive God's gifts and by receiving Jesus, we receive the life that comes from Him (Mark 11:24, 1 John 5:11-12). Jesus wasn't given to us to make God love us, He was given to us because He already loved us (John 3:16).
Raised Into New Life
Death came to us in Adam: the First Man who is from the earth, but life comes to us in Christ: the Second Man who is from heaven (1 Corinthians 15:22, 47). In Christ, you were baptized into His death, your old self was crucified so that you should no longer be a slave of sin (Romans 6:3, 6). In Christ you were also resurrected into new life, you're a new creation. (Romans 6:4, 2 Corinthians 5:17). Set your mind on what you receive from above in Christ, putting on the "new man", reflecting Christ's character to others around you (Ephesians 1:3, Colossians 3:1-17).
If We Stumble, Jesus Helps Us Get Back Up
As you've received Christ, "so walk in Him" and abound in faith with thanksgiving (Colossians 2:6-7). As long as we're walking in the light of God's love by extending it to others, there's no reason for us to stumble (1 John 2:10). But if we do stumble, Jesus defends us and helps us get back up (1 John 2:1-2, Proverbs 24:16). But as we get to know Jesus more and more personally, the power of God's grace in our lives will help us to even overcome those things that cause us to stumble (2 Peter 1:2-10, Titus 2:11-14). "Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy," Jude 1:24
Dead To Sin, Alive To God
When we live in the reality of grace, we no longer continue living in sin because we're dead to it and live to God instead (Romans 6:1-2, 11). Everyday we are to live this reality: "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20
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