Jesus Set You Free

I love to do God’s will so far as my new nature is concerned; but there is something else deep within me, in my lower nature, that is at war with my mind and wins the fight and makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. In my mind I want to be God’s willing servant, but instead

I find myself still enslaved to sin. So you see how it is: my new life tells me to do right, but the old nature that is still inside me loves to sin. Oh, what a terrible predicament I’m in! Who will free me from my slavery to this deadly lower nature? Thank God! It has been done by Jesus Christ our Lord. He has set me free.

─ Romans 7:22-25 TLB

Jesus Set You Free

Christians still struggle with sin in some form every day. No one is perfect except God (Jesus said that!). It’s completely hopeless to not sin in your own power. Trying to please God by following a list of do’s and don’ts will never succeed. You need help.

Paul’s discourse in Romans 7 makes it very clear that it’s pointless to try to fight sin in our own strength. No one has the human willpower to beat it. It takes the supernatural power of your advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Heavenly Father sent at Jesus’ request when He ascended into heaven.

In our verse today, Paul is very transparent. He admits his new nature in Christ wants to do the Father’s will. But, then he is confronted with his lower nature, the carnal man he was before accepting Christ. That old man wages war with the mind and wins the fight. It imprisons him to the sin that remains. Paul says, “I want to be God’s willing servant, but instead I find myself still enslaved to sin.” Paul’s new life tells him to do right, but the man he used to be still enjoys the pleasure of sin.

What would you like to break free from today? What habits hold you captive? Sin is sin. It doesn’t matter if it’s a big sin or a little sin; both are the same in God’s eyes.

But here’s the hope Paul preaches! Even though it’s a difficult situation, he is not on His own. He is not without the Lord’s help. His freedom is already won! Jesus Christ set Paul free. And the same freedom in Christ is also available to you.

Today’s One Thing

Pray and ask Jesus to help you experience the freedom He has for you. Here are some prayer points to get you started:

• Jesus, I accept your offer of help today.
• I want to live in victory over the sin I’m struggling with today.
• I invite you to go to work in my life.
• Give me wisdom and direction in how you can help me break this habit.
• Thank you for loving me unconditionally.
• I choose today to be set free.

Additional Reading

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