Matters of Faith: Live Like You’re Free

By Rev. J. Loren Russell

What should we say? Should we keep on sinning, so that God’s wonderful kindness will show up even better? 2 No, we should not! If we are dead to sin, how can we go on sinning? 3 Don’t you know that all who share in Christ Jesus by being baptized also share in his death? 4 When we were baptized, we died and were buried with Christ. We were baptized, so that we would live a new life, as Christ was raised to life by the glory of God the Father. 5 If we shared in Jesus’ death by being baptized, we will be raised to life with him. 6 We know that the persons we used to be were nailed to the cross with Jesus. This was done, so that our sinful bodies would no longer be the slaves of sin. 7 We know that sin doesn’t have power over dead people. 8 As surely as we died with Christ, we believe we will also live with him. 9 We know that death no longer has any power over Christ. He died and was raised to life, never again to die. 10 When Christ died, he died for sin once and for all. But now he is alive, and he lives only for God. 11 In the same way, you must think of yourselves as dead to the power of sin. But Christ Jesus has given life to you, and you live for God.

Romans 6:1-11 CEV

The sad truth is that far too many people who confess to living in Christ behave as if they are still enslaved to their sin nature. We expect lying, cheating, stealing, murdering, gossiping, fornicating, committing adultery, and other such acts of lewdness from people who are in the world, but these same vices can be seen in the people of God. Is it any wonder why attendance at churches have thinned out over the past few years?

If I can speak boldly, COVID 19 has revitalized attendance for many congregations and houses of worship. Worship services have been conducted using video and tele-conferencing technology that has allowed people to attend services who have not set foot in a house of worship in years, if at all. As I read the scripture text, I realized what Paul was saying is just as true today as it was when he wrote it. Could it be that the dubious behavior of those in houses of worship has kept those outside from coming in? Perhaps the forced use of audio and visual communications to conduct worship services has simultaneously opened the door of invitation to those who were and are behaving as if they are still enslaved by their sin nature. They are of that crowd who think they can go on sinning and grace will abound the more.

Paul reminded his readers that, “When we were baptized, we died and were buried with Christ. We were baptized, so that we would live a new life” (v. 4). A new life! Not enslaved by sin but set free by Christ! Those individuals were, and those in today’s church, are clinging to their old sinful self, the one that was supposed to be crucified with Christ. It is a shame that hypocritical behavior destroys Kingdom building. Behavior that should attract and be a sweet savoring aroma has become repugnant and divisive. They did not realize then and some do not realize today that they have their freedom. The son has set them free and they were henceforth “free indeed” (John 8:36).

Our Declaration of Independence was signed and sealed at the cross. Our old sin nature was crucified, and our new birth of freedom was assured the moment we are baptized. That act of immersion is our public confession of an inward transformation. In the twelfth chapter of Romans, Paul says that we are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds so that we can prove the good and perfect will of God. In the 11^th verse of our scripture text, he speaks of a transformed mind when he says, “In the same way, you must think of yourselves as dead to the power of sin. But Christ Jesus has given life to you, and you live for God.” Our freedom is from sin. We are free from sin because Christ has indeed set us free. Live like you’re free!  

Be Blessed!

Rev. J. Loren Russell is President/CEO of The JLR Company for Church Financial Strategy & Consulting; an associate minister at both Goodwill and The Greater Universal Baptist Churches in the Bronx; creator/host of “Matters of Faith – The Radio Show” on Soul 1 Radio, Monday’s 8:00 – 10:00 PM (626-226-1448) and author of Matters of Faith: The Book, an eBook available at Smashwords.com.