John 8:31-32, 34b, 36 ESV So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in Him, “If you abide in My word, you are truly My disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. So if the Son sets you free you will be free indeed.”
Today (July 4th) America celebrates Independence Day, the annual holiday to celebrate freedom from tyranny. As Americans we should rejoice over the liberties we have and remember that liberties gained can also be lost.
Christians should also remember that freedom obtained can also be lost. I am not referring to salvation here. The concept of “once saved always saved” is a topic for another time. The passage above refers to the freedom from sin.
Everyone sins. Sin is disobeying God. All of us do this from time to time. Freedom comes when sin is a choice, not a lifestyle. When one becomes a Christian they are indwelled by the Holy Spirit who gives them the power to overcome sin. It is though His strength that we can live victoriously over sin.
I do believe it is theoretically possible for a Christian to live completely without sin, but I have never met anyone who does so (certainly not me). The difference between a Christian and a non-Christian is that a Christian has to choose to sin. Sadly, we do so on a regular basis, usually out of laziness. We have the truth, we know what is right, and we have the power of the Holy Spirit to strengthen us. Yet, sometimes sin feels so good.
Speaking for myself, I have not accidentally sinned for several decades. I do so knowing full well what I am doing. I just don’t feel like fighting the temptation at the time. The power is there for me to do so, but I want to revel in the unholy anger, or gluttony, or let my eyes linger too long where they don’t belong. Thankfully when I do so, conviction comes from the Holy Spirit and I am able to repent.
On occasion, I ignore that conviction. That is when the sin comes more easily the next time. I begin to lose my freedom to overcome. I am unable to live victoriously over sin without the power of the Holy Spirit. I may know the truth but if I grieve the Holy Spirit by ignoring His conviction I will soon lack the strength to choose not to sin. There have been periods during my Christian life that certain sins have overwhelmed me because I refused to listen to God’s Spirit.
Thankfully, in His mercy, God has always drawn me back and eventually granted me repentance. Ignoring conviction is dangerous. It limits our freedom from sin. Christians are free but we are dependent on God for that freedom.
Almighty God, I thank You for the freedom to live a holy life. Thank You for strength, conviction, and repentance. Thank You for drawing me back when I choose to walk away. Grant that I will never be comfortable with sin in my life. Let my life be a testimony of Your grace, love and mercy!