Freedom from sin

When you were the slaves of sin, you were free from righteousness. What did you gain from doing the things that you are now ashamed of? The result of those things is death! But now you have been set free from sin and are the slaves of God. Your gain is a life fully dedicated to him, and the result is eternal life. For sin pays its wage—death; but God’s free gift is eternal life in union with Christ Jesus our Lord. (verses 20-23)

Read Romans 6:12-23

Imagine a scene where everyone who commits a crime, regardless of its pettiness or severity is sent to the same jail for life. Murderers mix with mothers who break the speed limit by 5 km/h on the way to tuckshop duty. Kids who litter are placed next to armed robbers. Then someone invents a thought machine, so that you could be imprisoned for even thinking the wrong thing. It would be a hell few could avoid.

Now imagine that a man walks through this prison and tells these people that if they put their trust in him, he will not only set them free but give them happiness for eternity.

The choice would be simple.

You have that choice. Your sin imprisons you, but Christ has opened the door to freedom. Trust him and step through.

Thank you, Lord, for freeing me from the prison of sin. Help me to trust and follow you to eternal salvation. Amen.

by Kathy Hoopman, in ‘Renewed Hope for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2000)

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