Christ set us free from sin

Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed," John 8:36,NJKV.

Why is sin such a bad word, it is something we were born into. Romans 3:23 " for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God". Now, I and my friend Jayme Ringer, I can't use her real name on my blog but lets just call her Jayme Ringer. We were having a discussion about one of America's mega-churches, let's just say in Houston. Where they can't use the word sin and if they do they will be escorted off premise. After "Jayme" and I had some kicks with this " she replied " let me at them". We are all sinners and need Jesus Christ for our salvation. I then told her listen I am serious they will escort you out and she replied " well let them just try". I am a sinner and Jesus Christ died for my sins and by His grace I am saved.

You know, brothers and sisters I think somewhere perhaps over the last couple of decades, some preachers have missed the mark. Albiet, I am strong on a victorious life in Jesus Christ but let's look at the Apostle Paul and the mega-church leaders today.

Paul himself states that he sins "For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice, but what I hate, that I do," Romans 7:15. Now,other than Jesus there is no one in the Bible than I admire more than Paul. Why some may ask because I would like to see some of our Mega-Church leaders get out of their multi-million dollar incomes and house's to have this kind of "victorious life" that Paul led.

...In labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches" (2 Corinthians 11:23-28).

"We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; (2 Corinthians 4:8-9). Paul's life and ministry were filled with tremendous hardship, but his attitude remained confident and resisted defeat. "...Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians15:57)

Well, I for one am not going to run for this new book "Your Best Life Now", why have we become so self centered? I am going to read my Bible and read Pauls book " Live Your Best Life For Christ Now". It seems like our best preachers are teaching us self this and self that instead of selflessness. Mt 19:27-30; Mk 10:28-31]:'''Peter answered him, "We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?" Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother[a] or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.
But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first."

Jesus spoke to people who thought that they were free, however they were in bondage to sin. Outside of Christ, we are all in the bondage of sin. Only Jesus Christ can set us free. He paid the price for our sins at the cross. He died and was raised from the dead. The power of God which raised him from the dead is the same power that sets us free. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes," Romans 1:16.

Christ sets us free from the condemnation of sin. The guilt and shame of sin is a heavy load. Christ sets us free from all condemnation. He paid the price for all of our sins. It is paid in full. "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus," Romans 8:1.

Christ sets us free from the power of sin. Paul testifies of his struggle to be free from the power of sin in Romans 7. "For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice, but what I hate, that I do," Romans 7:15. The power of sin is strong. The Spirit of Christ is stronger! "The Spirit of life in Christ....made me free from the law of sin.." Romans 8:2. The Spirit of Christ works within us to set us free.

Christ sets us free from the wages of sin. "The wages of sin is death," Romans 3:23. The word death means separation. Physical death is the separation of body and soul. The second death is eternal separation from God, Revelation 20:15. Christ sets us free from the fear of death and hell. Nothing can "separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord," Romans 8:39.

Father, I thank you for forgiven a sinner like me, in Jesus name. Amen