Simple question for any professing ‘believer’: If we have been set free from sin, as Paul mentions twice in Rom. 6:18,22...why do we continue to ‘sin’, or break God’s laws?

And if you feel compelled to just ‘try harder to not sin’, can I just tell you as humbly as I can... you have it backwards. It has nothing to do with ‘trying harder to do better’.

Yes, it has taken me awhile to get to this place in my understanding what has been laying there in all of our Bibles for us to read ever since it was printed; but Jesus came to set us free where we could actually ‘go and sin no more’ (John 5:14; 8:11). And those who actually ‘abide in Him’...who have been ‘born again’ or ‘born of God’...do just that (1 John 3:6,9; 5:18). Because those who ‘know the truth’...and whom the ‘Son has set free’...they are ‘free indeed’! (John 8:32-36).

I do remember early on though, as I was studying and walking this out and trying to share and communicate what I firmly believe the Holy Spirit was teaching me (John 16:13), someone told me flat out that they would ‘hate to be in a place where they no longer needed Jesus along with His grace and mercy’.

The statement puzzled me, at first; and I do occasionally hear others ask: “So where does repentance and forgiveness and the blood of Jesus come into play ...if we are all walking around sinless’? And my short answer to that is: “Do you think anyone can do this on their own?” What do you think John 15:1-8 is all about, as Jesus explained that unless we ‘abide in Him’...we can do nothing apart from Him, including bearing any fruit that brings glory to the Father.

John tells us that ‘whoever says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked” (1 John 2:6). Would you just pause a moment and give that some careful thought.

If you were receiving some medical and/or physical therapy treatment for an injury or ailment you had, the doctor would probably give you some ‘indicators’ to look for as you followed the treatment plan that was promised to ‘fix’ you. And if the ‘problem’ was not resolved, you would either conclude that the doctor lied to you, or maybe you just didn’t follow the treatment plan...as prescribed. It happens, you know. Sometime it might be as simple as not taking certain meds in the prescribed order or dosage.

When Jesus was talking to some folks who were knowledgeable in the scriptures, He told them they would ‘know the truth, and the truth would set them free’ (John 8:32). They took offense to that, denying the fact they had ever been in ‘bondage to anyone’ (33). That’s when Jesus had to break it down for them, telling them (and us today)...”whoever commits sin is a slave to sin, and a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son does’ (34-35). He even began that declaration with:... “Most assuredly...I say to you...”.

Whoever commits sin is a slave to sin. Does anyone see in their bible some * that denotes ‘unless you are a member of such and such church’? It sure is not in my Bible. Do you know what the Greek word for ‘whoever’ means? It means...’whoever’. And yet, Jesus is promising freedom to any and all ‘slaves of sin’. What do you think He came to set us free from?

But here’s where I think many of us have ‘missed it’, maybe got the ‘dosage’ or order backwards and didn’t clearly follow the directions. James said if we just ‘hear the word’ but fail to do it...we are ‘deceived’ (James 1:22). And if you pay close attention to that one detail in Matt. 7:24 and 26, the story of the two builders, you’ll read where both men ‘heard the sayings of Jesus’, but only one actually ‘did’ what He said. This was the ‘wise builder’ whose home remained intact when the storm and floods hit full force.

If you want to see true transformation in your life, which includes freedom from sin, you have to heed Mary’s advice and ‘do whatever He tells you to do’ (John 2:5). And what was the very first thing Jesus preached when He began his ministry? The message was loud and clear: “Repent....and follow Me.” (Matt. 4:17,19; Luke 9:23)

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” (Matt. 7:21).

“Why call Me, ‘Lord, Lord’ and not do what I tell you?” (Luke 6:46).  And folks...can I just say once again..while the story of the ‘thief on the cross’ is a beautiful revelation of God’s mercy, and a comforting reminder that none of us know what happens between a dying person and God as they take their last dying breaths here...that story is NOT....the ‘gospel’.

Now...before anyone can truly be set free...and begin this process or walk of ‘abiding’ in Jesus, you truly do have to ‘repent’, which means to ‘turn’ ...and then...’come to Him’ (John 5:40). But it’s this idea of ‘coming to Him’ that I think many have been misinformed on, and what all that entails. Before you can even ‘get your foot in the door’ (John 10:7)...you have to be ‘willing’...to lay your life down at His feet...with no strings attached and no ‘conditions’.

There’s good reason why the story of the rich young ruler is found in 3 of the 4 gospels; and if you, like him...are truly seeking ‘eternal life’, you would do well to revisit that story (Matt. 19; Mark 10; Luke 18). Meet me back here tomorrow?