In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Romans 6:11 NIV
A circus elephant paces within a small circumference. From infancy, he was tethered to a stake that he could not dislodge. Attempt after attempt to break free proved unsuccessful. When the elephant matured, his leg was still chained to the stake that he is now fully able to remove, but he has been conditioned to believe he will never be free. In his mind, he sees it as impossible to escape.
Those of us who have embraced Christ as our Savior and Lord have been legally emancipated from the power of sin. The scripture says we are to count ourselves as dead to sin and alive to God. This means that sin no longer must enslave us, if we know who we are in Christ and if we choose to resist its power.
No matter how engrained we have become with a sinful habit or tendency, we can experience liberation. We can stand on God’s promise that we are free. Instead of succumbing to the desires of the flesh, we can resist its power. We need to renew our minds to the reality of our victory in Christ. We need to have the mindset that we are free in Jesus. Growing in our understanding of this truth helps us to overcome sin. In Christ, we are overcomers. We already have the victory. Legally, we are dead to sin and alive to God. We cannot live this life totally free from sins entanglements, but we can grow in grace. We can mature, and understanding our victorious stance in Christ helps us to do just that.
If we fall, our Heavenly Father will pick us up. He will forgive us every time we confess our sins to him.
It is also important to speak aloud that we are alive unto God and dead to sin. Quoting scriptures in the face of temptation is an essential way to defeat our enemy. This is what Jesus did to successfully combat Satan. We can do the same.
We don’t have to behave like the elephant, who acts as a slave when he can free himself with the jerking of one of his powerful legs. We can be free from the cycle of sin. This does not mean we can attain perfection in this life, but it does mean that can grow increasingly like Christ.
Freedom has been gifted to us through Christ’s work at the cross. We cannot earn this victory. It is ours when we embrace the Lord. Will you accept this gift and learn to see yourself the way God sees you? Our Lord went to the cross so we could experience victory over sin. I challenge you to break free today from whatever is holding you back.
