Romans 6:7: For One Who Has Died Has Been Set Free From Sin.

Romans 6:7
[7] For one who has died has been set free from sin. (ESV)

All of mankind are born as prisoners to sin. Our nature is corrupt. The great R. C. Sproul used to say that we are not sinners because we sin, but we sin because we are sinners. What is the solution? Many people who do come to a realization of their sin condition attempt to solve it by their own efforts. That can never work.

Paul helps us to understand the way that we are set free from sin. Death. That is kind of a morbid thought. In what way do we need to die? Our sinful nature needs to die. Paul has told us in the previous verses that we need to be baptized into Jesus' death. By faith in what Jesus did on the cross we are able to put to death our sinful nature. He paid for our sin by his death.

We know that when we are no longer physically living, and are in heaven, we will be free from sin. One of the most wonderful aspects of heaven is that we will be eternally free from the temptations of sin. Yet, we are also able to experience freedom from sin on this side of eternity. In salvation, we have our old sinful nature put to death by the cross.

So, why do people who have been set free from sin fall back into sin? The enemy constantly works at putting shackles of slavery back on us. We need to be reminded  that Christ has set us free from sin. We no longer have to be in shackles. When we, as believers in Christ, walk in sin it is as if we are a free man sitting in a prison cell with the door wide open. We need to walk out. We are free!

Are you a believer struggling in sin? If you have died to sin you are free! Get out of the prison cell. The door is wide open. Jesus said, "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed (John 8:36)."