Free in Christ Jesus!

Introduction

Today we celebrate Independence Day in the United States.

Independence Day commemorates the day that Congress declared its independence from Great Britain.

Although the legal separation actually occurred on July 2, 1776 when Congress voted to approve a Resolution of Independence, 2 days later was when the final approval of the actual Declaration of Independence is believed to have occurred on July 4, 1776. Some scholars dispute the July date for the signing, instead opting for an August 2 date. Nevertheless, it was the Revolutionary War, lasting from 1775-1783 in which the colonies actually gained their freedom.

Essentially, the 13 colonies of Great Britain wanted to be free and no longer subject to Britain under King George III and were united together as free independent states.

The apostle Paul, in AD 57, wrote to the church at Rome about freedom from much greater enemies that God accomplished for us in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I. We are free from the law of sin and death (1-2)

A. We are free from condemnation in Christ. (v. 1)

Romans 8:1 ESV

1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Romans 5:18 ESV

18 Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men.

B. We are free from the law of sin and death. (v. 2)

Romans 8:2 ESV

2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.

Romans 7:7–11 ESV

7 What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.” 8 But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. For apart from the law, sin lies dead. 9 I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin came alive and I died. 10 The very commandment that promised life proved to be death to me. 11 For sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me.

II. We are free to walk according to the Spirit (vs. 3-11)

A. God condemned sin in the flesh to satisfy the law (vs. 3-4)

Romans 8:3–4 ESV

3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

B. God has freed our minds from inability to please Him. (vs. 5-8)

Romans 8:5–8 ESV

5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

Romans 6:12 ESV

12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions.

C. We are no longer are in the flesh but belong to Christ. (v. 9)

Romans 8:9 ESV

9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.

1. We are freed from sin to righteousness. (v. 10)

Romans 8:10 ESV

10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

2. Free from lasting death (v. 11)

Romans 8:11 ESV

11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.