07 02 07 Free to Choose

“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?”
(Romans 6:1)

After discussing the issue of grace in the previous chapter of Romans, no doubt the question arose to Paul, “So if there is so much grace when sin occurs, why not sin more to receive more grace?” Paul’s emphatic answer: “God forbid” (me genoito, in Greek). He expresses his feelings in such a way that the thought of continuing in sin, after receiving the grace of God, is simply too repugnant to entertain. It’s just unthinkable![1]

As we think of the many freedoms we do have in the United States and many countries, we as Christians do not have the right to do as we please. We are not entitled to abuse rights and privileges, treat others arrogantly, or live as we deserve things to go our way! We must always remember where we came from: SIN! We are free only because of the grace of God: that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to live among men, die a brutal death, only to rise from the dead and overcome the penalty of sin, so we may live eternally with Him one day.

We have done NOTHING to gain our freedom from sin or to deserve any blessing from God. We live and breathe because of His grace. Salvation, our forgiveness for our sin, is a gift from God. To truly to receive that gift, we need to have a repentant heart. We are not just simply to believe in Jesus, even Satan believes He’s real and He is God! We are to believe and live a repentant lifestyle, making every effort to allow the Spirit of God to change us from the inside! It is a work of God, not a work of man! We are free to choose that gift!

We may be free to live where we wish. We may be free to eat the foods we like. We may be free to work or not work. But as believers, we are NOT free to keep on sinning. Though we may stumble and fall at times, our heart must be intent on following the entire word of God. Repentance is the key! We are free from sin’s punishment, not free to sin’s pleasures. Beware; there are still consequences to sin! My prayer is like David’s long ago:

“I acknowledge my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah. For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him.”
(Psalm 32:5-6)

Time is getting short. When will the next bomb go off? When will the next accident occur? When will the next illness strike? When will the last one be saved and Christ return? It’s too late to live the way we choose. We must choose Christ today, or it may be too late! We are free to choose………or not!
[1] King James Study Bible, Thomas Nelson, Inc, Nashville, TN, 1988