Romans Ch.6

Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ
When you accept Christ as the Lord of your life, Paul says that your old self is crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be done away with. Notice it says crucified. It doesn't say vanished, died immediately, or removed quickly. It's very often a painful process when you've been living a certain way and are called to change. Just ask a gossip, a drug addict, an alcoholic, or someone addicted to porn.

In verse 18 Paul states, "You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness." So we're set free, only to become slaves again? Some people have a problem with this because they don't want to be ruled by anything. However, this time we have a much better master. A master who loves us deeply. A master who only wants the best for us.

So how do we free ourselves from the sin that has us entangled? In order to break a habit, you have to replace it. When I gave up drinking 6-8 Dr. Peppers every day, I had to replace it. The answer: Diet Coke. Praise be to God for that stuff! I lost 15lbs immediately. Sometimes habits take longer to break though. Imagine a soldier returning from the front lines of enemy combat. He has to retrain himself. When the cat jumps up unexpectedly, his mentality will likely take him back into survival mode. He has to keep reminding himself daily that he's home now, in a place of peace. In order to battle sin, we must do the same. We remind ourselves that we belong to Christ. We do this through reading the Word, prayer, and worship.

Sounds a lot easier than it is though. Often, Christians will struggle but try to work it out on their own. After all, we are supposed to be dead to sin when we accept Christ, right? We don't want anyone to see our boogers. And that's exactly where the enemy wants us. Alone and defenseless. How do we oppose that? Find an accountability partner. Today!! Find someone who knows you have boogers and is willing to bring you the box of tissues.

Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. ~Ecclesiastes 4:12

It might be a difficult walk to the cross, but you'll have a friend to help you up if you stumble. Imagine the day when we place our sins at the foot of the cross, and we pick up righteousness.

Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
~2 Timothy 4:8