Are we free from the power of sin or are we just free from righteousness?
Salvation comes in a package. The package consists of three saving elements. At salvation we are saved from the penalty of sin. In the present we are being saved from the power of sin. In the future, we will be saved from the very presence of sin.
Most believers are very aware of having been saved from the penalty of sin, and most Christians are aware of a heavenly destination, but in between many fail to overcome sin’s power in the daily spiritual battle. Every genuine believer has the power to overcome sin. Making it a reality is an act of faith based on what Christ has already done.
In the Disney movie “Down Under” the poacher captured a small multitude of rare and unusual creatures to sell illegally. He kept the menagerie locked in individual cages until he could realize their sale.
The creatures, in their desperate situation, worked the cages feverishly when the poacher left in an attempt to free themselves. Among the small creatures was an unusual lizard named Frank. Frank would try to pick the lock to his cage with his tail over and over, all the while mindlessly mumbling to himself in a worrisome way.
During one of these escape attempts, one of the captured menagerie looked over at Frank and was startled to see that Frank’s cage door was open and Frank was standing outside the cage (free), but still mindlessly working the lock with his tail. Frank was as startled as the rest of them when he realized that he was free indeed.
Is being free from the power of sin a reality in our lives as believers? Do we live it? The just shall live by faith. Faith is a firm persuasion or conviction based on hearing the Word of God. Do we reckon it to be so, that we are being saved from the power of sin? Do we consider it to be so and live accordingly? Is power over sin a reality from day to day?
When we hear that believers are being saved from the power of sin, does that startle us? When we hear of spiritual victory, are we skeptical? Do we tolerate known sin in our life because its just normal? Is acceptance by the world more important to us than overcoming sin? Are we just mindlessly going through the motions without any realization of spiritual power?
The opening question above should be answered honestly. Are we free from the power of sin, or are we just free from righteousness?
Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine (the gospel) where unto ye were delivered.
Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.
For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.
Romans 6:16-20