I am a free woman!
I've been studying this week on a three part concept from Oswald Chambers' My Utmost for His Highest; Co-Crucifixion, Co-Resurrection and Co-Eternal Life. I've been utilizing my commentaries to really get in depth into these three that are taken from Romans 6:5-11.
I've been working my way through Co-Crucifixion.
For we know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin - because anyone who has died has been free from sin. Romans 6:6
"It is...the greatest moment in your life once you decide that sin must die in you- not simply be restrained, suppressed or counteracted, but crucified - just as Jesus Christ died for the sin of the world. No one can bring any one else to this decision. We may be mentally and spiritually convinced, but what we need to do is actually make the decision that Paul urged us to do in this passage.
Pull yourself up, take some time alone with God and make this important decision, saying, 'Lord, identify me with Your death until I know that sin is dead in me"
Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest
"We know (ginoskontes suggests experimental or reflective knowing, not intuitive knowledge as in eidotes in v.9) that our old self was crucified with Him. Literally the last portion of this sentence is 'our old man' was crucified together obviously with Christ. A believers 'old man' is the person as he was spiritually before he trusted Christ, when he was still under sin..."
John F. Walvoord & Roy B Zuck, The Bible Knowledge Commentary
Lord,
I am beginning to see that where once I was a sinner I am no more. I may choose to sin or not to sin but I am not a slave to sin anymore. When I choose a sinful action or word, then I must take responsibility for it. No longer can I say, "Well that is just how I am, I cannot change." I have changed and I do have a choice. I am free and no long a slave to sin but a free woman, a new creation in Christ. I run unbound towards You singing Your praise and dancing in worship. There is still so much more for me to learn, truths that may appear to come upon me suddenly (though I know intricately planned by You) and still more I have to fight and work for. Your Holy Spirit is the lamp for my feet. I choose You daily Lord. As Satan tried to ensnare me with his lies and temptations, I claim the truth of the Living Word and the strength of the Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 6:10-19
James 1:12
1 Corinthians 10:13
Hebrews 12:1-2
James 1:2-4
1 Corinthians 10:12-13
1 Corinthians 14:33
Psalm 119:11
Comments
Fortunately one of my good Christian gal pals was sitting right next to me and so I shared with her my confusion, or maybe just frustration at how this was all sounding. It led to a really great discussion and realization about who we are in Christ right along the exact same lines you are talking about.
I just love God! Don't you! Its so cool to me when He affirms your walk often in the most unexpected ways. Your post was definitely that unexpected form of affirmation tonight.
Thanks for sharing! I think I need to put this book your reading on the top of my reading list for as soon as graduation is over!
Very important subject. Good job with it.
I don't know if you want to mention here that you have a guest post on Family Fountain, but I'm putting a new post up tomorrow.
There haven't been as many comments as I thought there might be, but I think this post has probably had as many visits as any I've tracked. Over 100 were on the first day, and I think 75 the next. I hope you got a few extra visitors from it.
Your suggestion and comments were very good. I've gotten some feedback on that. Others have picked the same book, but you got in first.
Thanks for participating. wb