Webster tells us that the word “free” means to be at liberty, no longer enslaved. What a beautiful picture of the Christian life! Jesus Christ indeed makes His people free (John 8:32-36). Three times in Romans 5 (verses 15,16,18) we are told that eternal life is a “free gift” that is given by Jesus Christ to those who trust in Him by calling upon His name (Romans 10:11-13).
As glorious as being forgiven is, it is equally glorious to know that the indwelling Spirit of God enables us to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4; 8:10,11). Before we knew Jesus, sin was our master; it ruled our lives and it most certainly ruined them. But now, by the grace of God, we are in Christ Jesus, and we are constantly being delivered from sin’s destructive power.
Yes, there is a constant battle with temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13) and worldly lusts (Titus 2:12), but our former master is now destroyed (Romans 6:6). That word means unemployed, so don’t give him a job! Thanks be to God for this gift of victory (1 John 5:4)!
