Where Is Freedom From Sin?
While Jesus was here, He spoke these words to those Jews which believed on Him. "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:32). Was He speaking of temporal or spiritual freedom? It was not freedom from any particular civil power, but it was freedom from sin: "Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin." (v. 34). How can I be made free from sin? Jesus declares that the truth is the means to obtain that freedom. But what is the truth? "Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth." (John 17:17.) The word of God is the truth that shall make us free from sin. Therefore, whatever the word of God teaches as to how to obtain freedom is right. What does the word of God teach'
One outstanding truth of the Word of God relative to freedom from sin is that
Freedom Is Found Only In Jesus Christ
1. There is no condemnation in Christ. "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." (Rom. 8:1.) At one time man was lost — condemned to die. In that condition he cried out, "0 wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" (Rom. 7:24.) But now we do not have to live all our lives in sin and look forward only to condemnation. "I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord." Man can be free! Where is that freedom? It is in Christ. There is no condemnation there! I must get into Christ to be free. And having gotten into him, I must walk after the Spirit and not according to the flesh! By acting thusly, I shall not be condemned.
2. All spiritual blessings are in Christ. While I live in the flesh, I am subject to temptation, to trials, to persecutions, and to the voice of the flesh that cries from within calling me to sin. I must have help from above to overcome these voices that call. I need one who can comfort in the trials of life. And there is one who is able — one who was tempted in all points like as we are yet without sin. He is touched with the feelings of our infirmities. He will give me all spiritual blessings if... yes, if I get where these blessings are. Where are they? "Blessed by the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ." (Eph. 1:3.) Therefore, I must get into Christ to enjoy these blessings!
3. Forgiveness is in Christ. "I have sinned." These words may be spoken with truth by every man and woman in the world. (Rom. 3:23.) And the penalty for sin is death. (Rom. 6:23.) I have sinned and therefore was condemned to die. Lost! Without hope! But no; not without hope! "Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered." (Rom. 4:7.) There is forgiveness of sin. But where is that forgiveness? "In whom (Jesus) we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins." (Col. 1:14.) There is forgiveness in Christ. I must get into Him to have my sins forgiven.
4. Salvation is in Christ. "Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sake, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory." (2 Tim. 2:10.) )To have salvation, I must be in Christ.
5. One is made a new creature in Christ. Because we had sinned we had "our old man . . . the body of sin." (Rom. 6:6.) But that old man can become a new man. Where? "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." (2 Cor. 5:17.) I can "walk in newness of life" if I am in Christ!
6. Reconciliation is in Christ. God is in heaven. Sinful man is on earth. Man's sins had separated God and man. Because man had sinned, he must be reconciled to God. God himself is willing to come far more than halfway. He will meet us in Christ. "To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself ..." (2 Cor. 5:19.) To be reconciled to God, I must get into Jesus Christ.
7. Life is in Christ. "The wages of sin is death." But God sent Jesus into the world to bring life. Where is that life? "And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his son." (I John 5:11.) Death would have come upon me; however, I can now have life if I get into His Son.
How Do We Get Into Jesus Christ?
The answer to this question is supreme. If I do not get into Christ, I do not have any of these blessings. The basis of my salvation is faith. (Gal. 3:6-9.) "For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus." (Gal. 3:26.) Why? How? Am I a child by faith only? No. The next verse emphatically answers the question: "For (or the reason is') as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." (v. 27). My faith must be an active faith — a faith that obeys. God commands baptism. (Acts 2:38.) When I am baptized, I get into Jesus Christ where all spiritual blessings are. My sins are forgiven, and I am reconciled to God. This is further impressed upon our minds in Rom. 6:3: "Know ye not that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?" The word of God, which is the truth, tells us that we are baptized into Christ. Upon being baptized, I have forgiveness of sins. (Acts 2:38.) They are washed away (Acts 22:16) because I have been placed into Jesus Christ where forgiveness is.
Have your sins been forgiven? Have you been baptized into Christ? "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." (John 8:36). Let Jesus make you free today!