Learning to Live as a Free Person

Consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Romans 6:11

Maybe you are thinking, It’s all very well to tell me that I am free, but I don’t feel very free. In fact, sometimes I feel totally defeated.

That’s not surprising. If you have thought of yourself as a slave for years, it’s no easy thing to start living the life of a free person. We hear that Christ has redeemed us, but we do not feel redeemed. We continue to think of ourselves as if we were in the cage. If you are to be who you are, here’s what you need to do.

1. Tell yourself the truth

“Consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus” (6:11).

The biggest cause of defeat is that we go on repeating the lies of the enemy. You look at some big sin and you say, “I can’t stop this.” Stop talking defeat. Tell yourself the truth.

2. Put up a fight

“Let not sin… reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions” (6:12).

Sin is not your master so don’t do what it says. When a voice in your head says, You know you can’t say no to this, say to that voice, “You’re no longer my master. I don’t need to listen to you.”

3. Offer yourself to God

“Present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life” (6:13).

How many Christians feel that they have nothing to offer Christ? If you are in Christ, you are alive to God. If you are alive to God, then your life is useful to Him. Offer yourself to God as one who has been brought from death to life.

Which of these three steps do you find hardest to follow? Which is easiest?