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Called to freedom from sin
Our calling as disciples of Jesus is to live a victorious life, a life where we live and reign over sin.
Freedom from sin is possible in this life! Our calling as disciples of Jesus is to live a victorious life, a life where we live and reign over sin. (Romans 5:17)
Freedom from sin for the overcomers!
Jesus wants us to be conformed to His image. Everyone who beholds the glory of the Lord is transformed into that same image. (2 Corinthians 3:18) Jesus' glory is His life – a life of victory over sin. A life of victory is freedom from sin! When we behold this glory and are transformed into His image, we become servants who are pillars in God's temple.
"He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name." Revelation 3:12.
He who overcomes! Jesus is looking for the overcomers when He writes to the angels of the seven churches in Asia minor. The promises belong to those who overcome and are set free from sin. The power to live a victorious life can be found in the Holy Spirit, whom God gives to those who obey Him. (Acts 5:32)
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Freedom and a deeper salvation
How do we come to freedom from sin? By being obedient to the Holy Spirit's promptings in our heart, we receive power to deny the sinful lusts and desires that dwell in our body. Jesus opened the way to a life of triumph and victory over sin. This life meant so much for Paul that he virtually cried out, "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?" Romans 6:1-2.
The salvation that is preached through the gospel goes far deeper than the common understanding of salvation. Most people only see salvation as the forgiveness of sins."…whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith – the salvation of your souls." 1 Peter 1:8-9.
"For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and saw corruption; but He whom God raised up saw no corruption. Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses. Beware therefore, lest what has been spoken in the prophets come upon you: Behold you despisers, Marvel and perish! For I work a work in your days, A work which you will by no means believe, though one were to declare it to you." Acts 13:36-41.
How to be free from sin
But forgiveness alone does not lead to freedom from sin. The work God does in His disciples leads those who believe to partake of God's own nature. "As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." 2 Peter 1:3-4.
God will mightily strengthen you who sense God's inner promptings to become a wholehearted disciple. There is no limit to what the gospel can accomplish in your life. Think to partake of God's own nature – His mercy, love, righteousness and goodness! That is freedom.
This exalted life is set aside for His disciples. If you hear Him calling you, do not harden your heart, but turn to God and give up your life in this world. Then you will find fellowship and brotherhood with other men and women who are longing for, and developing in, this same life!
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled." Matthew 5:6.
An excerpt taken from the article, "Be a Disciple of Jesus—a life of victory!"
September 2006
© Copyright Stiftelsen Skjulte Skatters Forlag
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®, unless otherwise specified. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.