Being Baptized into Christ Sets You Free from Sin
Thinking about Romans 6:7.
For he who has died has been freed from sin. (Romans 6:7)
Paul summarizes the point he has been making through the first six verses of Romans 6: those who are immersed into the death of Christ are set free from sin.
The Picture of a Slave Set Free.
Paul’s readers in Rome knew what slavery was, since it’s influence was pervasive throughout the Roman Empire. Unlike peasants, clients, and others who were economically deprived, slaves were chattel that could be bought and sold. In urban areas such as Rome, slaves may have made up to one-third of the population. Other estimates are lower, ranging from 16 to 20 percent. - Pollard, Truth for Today Commentary, 209
Just as a slave who died was no longer enslaved to the master, so sinners who are immersed into the death of Christ (Romans 6:3-4) are set free from their previous “master” - sin.
The Christian has not been delivered from the presence of sin, but rather from the dominating power of sin, Nowhere does Paul argue that the Christian will become totally free from sin this side of the judgment. - Pollard, Truth for Today Commentary, 209
The temptation to sin still comes the Christian’s way (James 1:13-15), and sometimes Christians sin (1 John 1:8-10). However, the difference for a Christian is that the Christian has “an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 John 2:1).
Our great High Priest (Jesus) understands by experience what it’s like to be tempted, and He sympathizes with our weaknesses. He allows us to approach God's throne of grace for mercy and grace in our time of need.
Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:14-16)
The critics of the gospel were dead wrong - the gospel of Christ did not encourage sinful living. The gospel sets sinners free from sin and calls them holy, righteous lives.
If you have been immersed into Christ (Romans 6:3-4) in obedient, penitent faith - you have been set free from your former master called “sin.”
You haven’t been set free to keep living in sin - but to live an entirely different life in Christ Jesus. You serve a new Master now.
A gracious, merciful Master.
Amen! We must die to rid ourselves of the old man, the sinner. Thank God for He put us in Christ on the cross and in that death we say goodbye to the sinner and are born anew. As Paul said in his letter to the Galatians (2:20), "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me". Now the quest becomes to live a life without sin, a life to Christ such that God may fulfill his eternal purpose through us.
First, we repent, ie. have Godly sorrow for our old lives when in agreement with darkness. In retrospect,
this is such an insult to a loving, holy God. Then, when we feel we have dealt with the major things
we KNOW we did, we KNOW are wrong with us, then, we get baptized, washing away these sins,
and entering a totally NEW life in the Lord. IN the Lord, no longer IN the world.
We also are not forced. Day by day, moment by moment, we CAN go back to our old carnal ways,
which are enmity with God.
Addictions, unbelieving family who can draw us in, make us feel guilty, allurements. Satan has many
tricks, and we are being watched spiritually all the time.
We note how Yehoshua (the meaningless word Jesus in English, since 1640) emphasized 'watch',
and also 'watch AND PRAY'. We're ALWAYS noticing things. These are what we're watching,
what we're seeing, and this needs to be prayed about.
What an intense, moment by moment eventful LIFE that the bible shows us.
During baptism, we're 'crucified', or 'impaled' with Christ, so then the ANCIENT carnal is,
at that point, dead, so then the connection between us and the tremendous power of sin
is broken.
The word 'freed' means that righteousness is attributed to, conferred. Thus the power of
the Lord separates us unto Himself, and breaks the sin connection, or connections.
Because the carnal spirit is impaled, it resurrects daily, so then we read that Paul 'dies daily'.
I think possibly during sleep the carnal spirit then breaks free, resurrects and we then
impale our carnal spirit daily, and sometimes DURING the day as satan presents things
that 'used to' lead us astray.
I found it's so very serious, and not some simple, quick thing AT ALL. Be ye HOLY as He is HOLY
is a very tall order.
It's a little bit like introducing new foods to a baby. The baby often wants none of that.
But gradually can come to accept it and sometimes to even like it.
That's how it can be drawing away from former sins, some of which are even hidden from us!!
Some can be buried deep, like certain bad attitudes.
It can be viewed as really a nuisance or really a gift that God brings our prevailing sins to the surface.
So very well covered up!! Even from us. How many people do you know who secretly, or not,
believe, and sometimes even SAY 'I am a GOOD person', when YOU have seen ways they have
that are anything BUT. Try saying that to them and see what happens!! And often these are
church people. And sometimes these people are major donors to the church in which case
YOU will be condemned, and they put up, 'restored'.
This is but one small example noted again and again in so many situations.
But we must 'work out OUR OWN Salvation', not other's.
We can certainly see that this is a 'high calling'.