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Romans 5:12-21

Freed Captives

It is widely known that people who have been imprisoned for long periods of time become institutionalised. When released they are overwhelmed by the freedom of choice. They have to make a lot of decisions which were once made for them, when to wake up, what to eat, where to work, what to do with their free time. Many who are released re-offend so that they can go back to prison. The familiarity of prison is more comfortable than the freedom of freedom.

Escape the Reaper

You and I are exactly the same. We live our lives as though we are still bound by the chains of our sin. It seems impossible to us that we could walk away from our addiction; whether that is to alcohol, sexual immorality, adultery, pornography, gluttony, the fantasy of romance or marriage, the paralysis that prevents us from showing our love to our family and friends.

It seems horrifying that what we thought was normal is in fact our prison. When we want to change the way we look, when we worry about our children’s future, when we long that our spouse was different, when we wish our job paid more… all these normal things can in fact be our normal desires gone mad. They can control us more than any prison cell

We are like birds who have grown up having our wings clipped, never realising that Christ has restored our wings and that if we only looked up we would soar high up into the sky.

Christ has killed us, he has buried us and when he rose from the dead he raised us as well. Sin no longer has its total control over you. Christ has transferred you out of death’s reign and into his kingdom of life.

This means that you have the power and freedom to rebuild your life a new. Or as Paul puts it you “should walk in newness of life.” (Rom 6:4b). This will involve bearing the fruit of the spirit and cutting out the works of the flesh. The more you live your freedom the freer you will be.

For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.  Romans 6:14          

the Rev

Sermon: Rom 6:1-4 Live under Grace Part 2

Bible Reading: Romans 5:12-21

Exercises

• How might freedom from the reign of sin be scary (Rom 6:1-2).

• Share what you desire to die to (Rom 6:3-4a).

• How might being dead to the reign of sin change your life (Rom 6:4b)?

• How does being in a Church family make all this challenging?

• How does being in a Church family help?

Prayer: Dear Lord forgive me for feeling guilty when I’m not. For living my life as though I have not choice when I do. Forgive me for finding refuge in what I find familiar. Help me Lord to live under your grace, to bear the fruit of your spirit particularly with people I find difficult, and times I find hard. Thanks that I am forgiven and that I am being sanctified by your grace. Amen