I have been set free.

Today’s Scripture: Romans 8:2, NIV- “because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.”

I am a recovering co-dependent person who grew up overly concerned about what others thought of me. In Romans 8:1 we are promised that regardless of what others may think of say, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” (NKJV) If Christ Jesus has not condemned us, why should we be concerned with the condemnation of anyone else?

When our focus is to please our heavenly Father, His Spirit walks with us. Since Romans 8:1 starts with therefore, we must read the preceding scriptures to see what it is there for. Romans 7:25 informs us of how we are set free from condemnation and from the law of sin and death. “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.” (KJV)

There is another affirmation for us found here, I thank God. We do not need to wait another moment to thank God for setting us free. Paul wrote of our struggles between the laws of God and our nature here in Romans 7. Romans 8:2 is the secret to freedom. “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.” (NKJV)

Jesus came to earth to set us free from sin and death. He came to introduce us to the Spirit of life. Jesus lived in the Spirit of God and He delivered the Spirit of life to us. God sent His Son to be our sin offering so we could no longer be condemned by our sins.

Romans 8:4 provides the doorway to freedom. “He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit.” (NLT) When we follow the Spirit, we are set free.

Moment to moment we have a choice as to where we set our minds. Paul instructs us in Romans 8:5 that if we set our minds on what the Spirit desires we will live in the freedom of the Spirit. How do we do that? When we feel the walls of our minds closing in on us with worries, fears, anxieties, and guilt we can stop and ask the Holy Spirit to guide our minds back to the freedom the Spirit desires.

Of course, this is against our nature, so it is contrary to every fiber of our being but available to us in an instant. We can be free from the negativity of humankind and our own human shortcomings by giving the Holy Spirit our mind.

Holy Spirit, please take over and govern my mind now. I am living in Your life and peace. Wow, that is a new affirmation that sets us free. I love how the Bible gives us an endless supply of promises of hope and freedom. Romans 8:6 is a perfect example “So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.” (NLT)

The key to the door of freedom is given to us in Romans 8:9 “You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.” (NIV)

Jesus, I am asking now to receive Your Spirit so that I belong to You. Now, I have been set free. Will you invite the Spirit of Christ into your life now?

Today’s Prayer: I thank You God for sending Your son to be our sin offering. I am asking now to receive the Spirit of Christ Jesus. My desire is to live in the desires of Your Holy Spirit. In You LORD I have been set free. Help me Father God to live in Your Spirit and to turn away from the mind of my flesh. Thank You God for Your life of peace. Use me LORD to welcome others into the freedom of Your Spirit. In the name of Jesus the Christ we do pray. Amen.