SeniorSeeker
Active member
Monday October 29
[size=x-large]Slaves Set Free[/size]
When we understand redemption as freedom from a form of enslavement that required external assistance, we may conclude that sinful humanity is bound by a power or influence stronger than itself. The question that needs to be answered is, by what power or agency has sinful humanity been so bound?
Study Romans 6:12-23. Notice that in verses 18, 20, and 22, Paul speaks about freedom. What is the context of this freedom? What is Paul talking about here?
Think about what Paul says in the above verses along with what he says in Romans 6:1-11. Paul talks about what happens in Christian baptism. Here he sets forth some things that were to have died with Christ in baptism. Having spelled these out, Paul challenges the Christian, who has been united with Christ, to manifest the lordship of Christ, who has freed him/her from the power of sin.
The bottom line here is that, according to Paul, no matter how corrupted our nature has been by sin, through Christ we can be free from its enslaving power. Who hasn't seen just how devastating this kind of slavery can be? Who hasn't seen lives ruined by sin? Who hasn't struggled with the power of sin in their own lives? It is, by far, the greatest foe that we as human beings will ever face.
What makes it so bad is that it
[size=x-large]Slaves Set Free[/size]
When we understand redemption as freedom from a form of enslavement that required external assistance, we may conclude that sinful humanity is bound by a power or influence stronger than itself. The question that needs to be answered is, by what power or agency has sinful humanity been so bound?
Study Romans 6:12-23. Notice that in verses 18, 20, and 22, Paul speaks about freedom. What is the context of this freedom? What is Paul talking about here?
Think about what Paul says in the above verses along with what he says in Romans 6:1-11. Paul talks about what happens in Christian baptism. Here he sets forth some things that were to have died with Christ in baptism. Having spelled these out, Paul challenges the Christian, who has been united with Christ, to manifest the lordship of Christ, who has freed him/her from the power of sin.
The bottom line here is that, according to Paul, no matter how corrupted our nature has been by sin, through Christ we can be free from its enslaving power. Who hasn't seen just how devastating this kind of slavery can be? Who hasn't seen lives ruined by sin? Who hasn't struggled with the power of sin in their own lives? It is, by far, the greatest foe that we as human beings will ever face.
What makes it so bad is that it