rev. sheila h. bradshaw biblical counseling ministry

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 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, 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. Romans 8:1-4, NIV  

As Christians, do we really believe Jesus has set us free from our sinful flesh and free from the penalty of our sins? Once we made the choice to accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, by faith we must believe that Jesus came to bear the burden of our sins and transgressions in order to experience true freedom in Christ Jesus. Yes, we must ask God for forgiveness and His word tells us if we ask for forgiveness, it will be granted. We are set free from our sins, and they no longer have power over us. God’s mercy has cast our sins into the depths of the sea, never to resurface. We no longer have to live our lives consumed by guilt and shame which, harbored long enough is a death by separation of the Holy Spirit which dwells within each of us. This will cause us to question our worthiness of the promised gift of eternal life. Freedom in Christ does not mean we will be free of sin, it means we do not have to be enslaved by our sins as we strive to live a righteous life through the spirit. We must be true about our sins and be quick to seek forgiveness, not allowing that sinful flesh to take root. What freedom in Christ does mean, we are free to experience an unconditional relationship with Him through the desire to be His servant and inspired to love and serve others just as Jesus, our Lord and Savior has done for us 

Sister Lois Lipscomb-Risacher, Director of Bethlehem Bible Church Biblical Counseling Ministry 

Bethlehem Bible Church in Sarasota, Florida