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I have had at least two conversations today about the freedom God offers through salvation and how He freely gives it as a gift.

Yet in both conversations, we also acknowledged that although salvation is freely given, believers still experience an ongoing struggle. A fighting for that very salvation.

We strive against sin, the lust of the eyes, and the cravings of the flesh that once enslaved us. We were once slaves to sinful desires, and those desires produced sinful actions. But now, as Christians, we resist our old ways.

We do this not to earn salvation, but because we have already received it. Our obedience is a response of gratitude for God's kindness and grace.

These conversations were especially meaningful because I had already been meditating on Romans 6:6. The Apostle Paul states:

“We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin.” (NLT)

Paul says our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ, so sin would lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin.

We are no longer slaves to sin!

I struggled with this truth early in my walk with God. I knew God had saved me, but I was also painfully aware of the sinful desires that remained.

The presence of those desires bothered me. I assumed that because I was a Christian, I should no longer experience them.

I had to learn that salvation does not make us exempt from temptation. Even Jesus was tempted, yet He remained without sin (Hebrews 4:14-16).

Although we have been saved, we still live in flesh that desires what is contrary to God (Romans 7:14-25; James 1:13-15).

But my old self has been crucified with my Lord. Jesus carried my sin to the cross and paid the price required to set me free.

Because of what He accomplished, sin no longer possesses the authority it once held over my life and the same is true for every believer.

Think about it. What slave has the authority to live however heor she chooses? A person in bondage does not dictate the terms of his or her life.

Before Christ, sin was our cruel master. It dictated how we thought, how we acted, and where our desires led us.

But now we are free. Through Jesus, we have been empowered to stand firm and say no to temptation, say no to sin, and say no to Satan and the influences of this world.

Freedom does not mean the battle disappears. It means the battle is no longer fought under the dominion of sin.

We fight from a new identity, with a new Master, and through the strength God supplies. Temptation may still speak, but it no longer has the final word.

So do not be confused or discouraged by the battle. Recognize it, stand firm, and keep running to the One who purchased your freedom with His precious blood.

When you stumble, do not return to the chains Christ has broken. Confess your sin, receive His mercy, rise again, and continue walking in the freedom He has given you.

The struggle does not mean you are still a slave. The struggle is evidence that you are no longer willing to live peacefully in bondage.

Keep fighting, keep trusting, and keep looking to Jesus. Sin is no longer your master. Christ has set you free, and whom the Son sets free is free indeed.

Love you Church,

Pastor Lu