SIN, FLESH, AND FREEDOM

Hello Freedom Friends.

Have you tried over and over and over again...to break the power of sin and the flesh in your life? I have...and always come back to the pig pen and vomit of the dog. I then walk in the condemnation and discouragement of who I am versus who I want to be. Can I get an AMEN...or an OH ME?

"For what I am doing...I do not understand. For what I WILL to DO...that I DO not PRACTICE; but what I HATE, that I DO." (Romans 7:15)

If you are like me...you start off with good intentions that turns into failed contentions. Romans 7:16-21 identifies the problem as SIN. There is a WAR that is WARRING within us between "the law in my members, warring against the law in my mind..and bringing me into CAPTIVITY to the LAW OF SIN which is in my members." (Romans 7:22--23)

The conclusive thought process is..."O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?" (Romans 7:24) That is the question that I constantly ask myself...especially when I am in the middle of failure...again.

ANSWER: I thank God--through JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD! So than, with the mind I myself serve the law of God...but with the flesh...the law of sin." (Romans 7:25)

KEY TO VICTORY: "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are IN CHRIST JESUS...who do not WALK according to the FLESH...but (walk) ACCORDING TO THE SPIRIT." (Romans 8:1)

The devil (little d) condemns...the Lord edifies. "For the law of the SPIRIT OF LIFE IN CHRIST JESUS...has made me FREE from the law of sin and death." (Romans 8:2)

NOTE: Read the rest of chapter 8 to see how to become MORE THAN CONQUERORS.

A great companion chapter to Romans chapters 6-7 is Galatians 5-6.

We are called to STAND FAST therefore in the LIBERTY/FREEDOM by which Christ Jesus has MADE US FREE...and do not be ENTANGLED AGAIN...with a YOKE OF BONDAGE/SLAVERY. (Galatians 5:1)

Just because you call yourself a Christian...or are actually a Christian...does not mean an automatic pass for freedom. You CAN...and WILL BE bound again by sin and the flesh...if you ALLOW IT TO HAPPEN.

I speak from personal experience. I was saved in the fall of 1970...baptized in the Holy Spirit in 1972...and backslid into more sin than I did before I was saved and baptized in the Holy Spirit. It all happened because I did not follow the recommendations in Galatians 5.

NOTE: Be sure to note...that I had CHOICES to make. I CHOSE sin and the flesh over freedom and peace. The Lord never promised to deliver us from our friends...only our enemies...and as long as whatever you are doing that violates the principles of God are you FRIENDS...you will always...be caught between the the Spirit and the flesh...between freedom and bondage.

If you are going to answer God's CALLING in your life...you must really understand what His calling is for you. "For you, brethren..HAVE BEEN CALLED TO FREEDOM...only do not USE FREEDOM...as an OPPORTUNITY FOR THE FLESH...but through LOVE...SERVE...ONE ANOTHER." (Galatians 5:13)

When we walk in sin and in flesh...we do not love (1) The Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength (2) Love our neighbor (anyone other than you...including family, co-workers, friends, etc) (3) Love yourself. and we do not serve. We love ourselves more than anyone...and become bound instead of free.

"I say then...WALK IN THE SPIRIT...and you shall NOT FULFILL the LUST OF THE FLESH." (Galatians 5:16) It is obvious to me...that if I am fulfilling the lust of the flesh...I am NOT walking in the Spirit.

The solution...is found at the Cross Of Christ...and by FAITH...accepting what I can't do. Galatians 2:20...is manifested as I am faced with choices of sin and flesh. " And those who are Christ's have CRUCIFIED THE FLESH...with its passions and desires. If we LIVE IN THE SPIRIT...let us also WALK IN THE SPIRIT. Let us NOT become CONCEITED, provoking one another, envying one another." (Galatians 5:24-26)

NOTE: It is easy for me to pontificate about this...but I know it is the truth. I struggle all the time with sin and flesh...but find that the more I am focused on the Word, focused on the Lord, focused on the Spirit...focused on crucifying my flesh with it's passions and desires...versus focusing on my failures and the devil's lies...I am quicker to REPENT (have a change of mind, change of attitude, change of direction...moving towards the Lord and away from sin and things of the flesh.) Acts 3:19 becomes evident as I RETURN and REPENT...and experience REFRESHING IN THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD. The neat thing is...the Lord will LET/ALLOW me to do whatever I want to do. I have found this...the quicker I get to the bottom of the pig pen...and quit digging below ground level...and look up to the Father waiting for me...the quicker I can dine on the fatted calf...versus dog vomit.

Love and Repentant Kisses
Rodney "Thanks Be To Christ Jesus" Boyd