Day 339, Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Romans 5–8
Spiritual Freedom from Bondage
There are different kinds of prisons. There are literal prisons, and then there are prisons of the mind and soul. People can be prisoners of guilt because of what they have done or failed to do. Spiritual freedom from bondage gives people great joy, but release from sin also brings responsibility. How shall we live who are spiritually free?
The Apostle Paul wrote to the believers in Rome. Paul’s mission was to preach the gospel to the Jews and Gentiles (non-Jews), especially the latter. He wanted the Romans to know the message he preached before visiting them.
The gospel sets us free!
There is no righteousness, religion, or heritage of our own, which makes us acceptable to God. That’s bad. However, the gospel that Paul preached is good news! Jesus died for all people of every age—he died in our place so we could have forgiveness.
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, not only died for our sins but was raised from the dead for our salvation. He offers freedom from the prison of sin and guilt, leading to death. “God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus from the dead. He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification” (Romans 4:24-25, NIV).
What is justification, and what are its benefits?
Justification means guilty sinners are declared righteous by God’s grace. Christ is our advocate. He went before the judge, God the Father, and pleaded our case. He paid the penalty for our sin with his pure and innocent blood, and God accepted it. The Apostle Paul says,
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God (Romans 5:1-2, NIV).
Here are three benefits of justification
- we have peace with God
- we have access to salvation
- we have joy!
Saved from Wrath and Reconciled to God
We are all sinners by nature and choice, so we are under God’s holy wrath. Our sin must be punished. God is merciful and gracious; however, he sent his Son into the world to save and reconcile us to himself. He took our punishment upon himself, and we are free! This is another reason we greatly rejoice.
We inherited our sinful nature from one man, Adam, because he and Eve were sinners. Yet, through another man, the perfect God-man, Jesus Christ, we are now offered salvation from our sins and eternal life. This is a precious gift from God and incomprehensible in worth; have we received it?
Freedom—what does it mean?
If we have accepted God’s gift of salvation, can we now do whatever we want? No, that would be ingratitude and taking God’s grace for granted. We are free from the law that leads to condemnation and death, but Christ sets us free to serve him, not to enslave ourselves to sin again!
In the same way [as Christ died and was raised to life], count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.
Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness (Romans 6:11-13, NIV)
Our Helper
As Paul did, we all still struggle with sin (Romans 7:14-25), but Jesus Christ can give us victory over it. “…There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:1-2, NIV). The Holy Spirit dwells within us individually, as we trust only in Christ to save us. And, now, we have God’s Holy Spirit to help us conquer our daily sins.
Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation— but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God” (Romans 8:12-14, NIV).
Let’s not be imprisoned again because of our sins. Let’s obey God and live in freedom.
The privileges of belonging to God
The Holy Spirit makes us sons (meaning children) of God. However, because we are in his family doesn’t mean we won’t struggle with sin or suffer hardships. It means we have a new relationship with God and inherit eternal life. What other privileges do we have?
- If we suffer as Christ suffered, we will also share glory with Christ (8:17).
- The Holy Spirit will help us in our weaknesses (8:26-29).
- God will be our defender, and even if we suffer, nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God (8:31-39).
Discussion
What does it mean to be free in Christ? If I am free, can I do whatever I want? Why or why not?
What does justification mean, and how does it apply to me?
Focus Verses
Romans 5:1-2 (NIV)
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
My prayer response: Dear Father in heaven, you are pure and right in all your ways, separate from sin. Thank you for sending Jesus to free us from sin’s bondage. Now through your Spirit, we can choose to live pleasing to you and have your favor. May your kingdom be expanded more and more as we share how we were delivered.
Being more like Christ and sharing the good news is your will for us. You want to bless us, not condemn us. We rejoice that nothing can now separate us from your presence!
Dear Father, we know you know everything, but you want us to ask for our daily needs. So now we ask for them specifically and believe that you will give everything good for us. Also, forgive our sins against others and our unforgiveness. May we talk it out and work toward reconciliation, for your name’s sake. We pray for your Spirit to help us not hold grudges or endlessly rehearse wrongs; we don’t want the devil to divide and ruin our relationships.
We live for your glory and praise. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Please send your comments to me
Looking Ahead: Because God now saves non-Jewish people, are we more privileged than Jewish people? Learn about The Sovereign Redemptive Plan of God in our Next Lesson.
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