BORN TO SET FREE
By Rick Mathes
Matthew 1:21 (NASB77) 21 “And she will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for it is He who will save His people from their sins.”
Next to creation the most astounding miracle of God was His birth in the flesh as a helpless little baby at His mother’s breast: a baby “Born to Die.” From His birth, one Caesar after another put a contract on Him until He decided it was time. He said that He would lay down His life and raise it again of His own volition and He did. He finally died on the death stake but the grave couldn’t contain Him. He rose, ascended and promised to be back soon.
Nothing would atone for our sins but the sacrifice of the Lamb of God.
When He cried out, “It is finished!” we were set free from the guilt of every sin we have ever committed. We ask Jesus for forgiveness: He graciously forgives us. Then we receive it and become forgivers. If you have any guilt, that is an indication that you did not leave your sin at the foot of the cross. You won’t offend Him, it’s empty!
We become free of the power of sin. It has often been asked, “Could Jesus choose to sin?” Yes. He could choose to sin in the flesh but in the Spirit He choose NOT to sin. The same applies to a “born again” Christian. You are unable to “not sin” if you are an unbeliever.
The sanctification process is the pursuit of holiness. If uyou are walking the light then you have been protected from the presence of sin. The shadow of death might be close behind but as long as you are walking toward the light the darkness of sin and your former life will be behind you.
Most important of all we are free of the consequences of sin both here and in the hereafter. How can anyone describe a clean life and clear conscience apart from Christ? What practical experiences can you discipline yourself to regarding His love letter to us?
- Read it__________________ examine, interpret
- Learn it__________________ discover, master
- Repeat it_________________ repetition, restate
- Pray it___________________ petition, implore
- Sing it___________________ shout out, vocalize
May the Lord bless your every effort to understand His name: Jesus?
Rick Mathes 