Category Archives: Freedom

Bible, Chains, Freedom, Romans, Scripture, Slaves

FREEDOM

ROMANS 8:21

“that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.”

Oh, this verse rocks my world. Doesn’t it yours? Just think about what freedom means? I have to quote Gill’s Exposition here. Get ready. This will rock you too. Gill’s says this freedom is “a freedom from the dominion of sin and Satan, from the law and bondage of it, in the free use of Gospel ordinances, in liberty of access to God, and a freedom from the fear of death, and a glorious liberty it is; or the liberty of glory the saints shall enjoy in the other world, which will lies in a freedom from the prison of the flesh, from the body of sin and death, from all sorrows and afflictions, from all reproaches and persecutions, from the temptations of Satan, from doubts, fears, and unbelief, and in the full vision of God through Christ, and in a free conversation with angels and saints.”

This is what Paul is saying in today’s verse. Woohoo! We are destined for an eternal freedom. The word “freedom” is the Greek word eleutheria which means the “liberating reality that believers possess in Christ.” (Topical Lexicon) So, let me ask you this question. Are you walking in that freedom today? Or are you still walking around like you are chained to the sin nature in you?

APPLICATION

Peter says it well in 2 Peter 2:20. “For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome,” Is that you? I pray not. We are to walk in victory, brothers and sisters, not to sin. Which is easier, to walk free or chained?

Paul writes the Galatians in Galatians 5:1 with the same message. “It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.” Do you get it now? Stop strapping yourself down by the yoke of slavery to sin. Will you walk perfectly? Of course not! No one can. But we do not walk this path alone. Christ, through the power of His Holy Spirit, has broken the chains that bind us.

Chris Tomlin writes these lyrics in his song “Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone).” 

My chains are gone; I’ve been set free. 

My God, my Savior has ransomed me 

And like a flood His mercy rains 

Unending love, Amazing grace 

Walk in victory today and every day. He has set us free!

Thank You, Lord, for the freedom I have today and forever!

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Freedom, Holy Spirit, Life, Romans, Scripture

THE SPIRIT OF LIFE

ROMANS 8:2

“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.”

I bet if you have been driving a vehicle for any length of time, you have probably run out of gas at least once. It’s a problem that is easily solved – put gas in the tank, lol. Do you understand how that gas engine works? I am no mechanic, but I do know the carburetor controls the flow of gas which is ignited by small sparks which then produce small “explosions” that make the pistons move. Okay, that is far as I will go with that description. I don’t want to show my ignorance of the subject. Bottom line – gas in required to give the engine life.

The same is true for us as humans. We need our “tanks” filled with the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus to get our “pistons” firing for Jesus. I love how one commentary I read describes this law of the Spirit of life. “A phrase defining more fully the mode in which the union with Christ becomes operative in the believer. It begins by imparting to him the Spirit of Christ; this Spirit creates within him a law; and the result of that law is life—that perfect spiritual vitality which includes within itself the pledge of immortality. (Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers) This law of life is only operational through the life-giving Spirit.

APPLICATION

This “law of the Spirit of life”is contrasted with “the law of sin and of death.” The Divine law, as some scholars have referred to it as, supersedes and fulfills the Mosaic law which condemns us because of sin. The Gospel of grace that is present in our lives as followers of Christ sets us free from any and all requirements set forth in the Mosaic law. Praise be to God.

When I became a Christian, my life changed drastically. Before Christ I was not known for my study habits in school. I made decent grades but not like I did after I got saved. My grades went up so much the first semester that my teachers thought I was cheating and vowed to catch me. After a semester of proving myself, they finally understood that I had changed. I was the same person on the outside, but inwardly I had a whole new nature.

As followers of Christ, we have to show that transformation. If it is real, we can’t help ourselves. The light of Christ that indwells us now has to be shone. “Hide it under a bushel, no!” The world needs to see the change in us. We cannot remain a part of all that we were doing before. The law of the Spirit of life in us has changed us at a spiritually molecular level. We are a new creation in Christ. Show the world!

Father God, shine through me and let the Spirit of life be seen.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Christ, Condemnation, Eternal Life, Freedom, Romans, Scripture

NO CONDEMNATION

ROMANS 8:1

“Therefore there is now no condemnation at all for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

Picture yourself standing before a judge in a courtroom where you are standing trial for a crime you committed. There is no doubt you did it. Everyone knows you did it. You even pleaded guilty to the charge. All that’s left is for the judge to render judgment. But unbeknownst to you, someone came forward to receive your sentence and take your guilt upon themselves. Therefore, when the judge swings his gavel, he exclaims to you, “You are not condemned to serve your sentence. It has been paid.”

Paul has spent the last 11 verses stating our guilt under the law in regard to our sinful behavior. He also explains how the gospel has set us free once we turn to Jesus and accept Him as Savior and Lord. He begins chapter 8 with the Greek word ara which is a conjunction connecting verse 7:25 with 8:1. It’s not just a conjunction, though. It is a decisive conjunction leaving no doubt. Paul writes, “Therefore…” Because of the gospel we are not condemned. Because of the gospel we are set free.

APPLICATION

The word used by Paul for “condemnation” is used here and only two other times, both earlier in this letter to Rome. In verses 5:16 and 18, Paul wrote, “16 The gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned; for on the one hand the judgment arose from one offense, resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the gracious gift arose from many offenses, resulting in justification. 18 So then, as through one offense the result was condemnation to all mankind, so also through one act of righteousness the result was justification of life to all mankind.”

This is a strong word. Strong’s says it is a “damnatory sentence.” In other words, it is not a condemnation from which you can escape. You have sealed your own death sentence. But…the Law had not met our Savior. Jesus came to fulfill all the requirements of the Law. He was perfectly able to live a life here on earth and defeated the curses of the Law.

Don’t walk around in defeat, if you are a follower of Christ. You will not face condemnation from Him. That does not excuse us to sin as we please. No way! But it does give us the promise of a future with Him without the worry of losing it. There is now no condemnation if you are in Christ. That means He is in you too. Live like that. Live boldy and freely without the fear of reprisal.

I give You all praise for releasing me from the condemnation that was before me.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Freedom, Good, Law, Scripture, Sin

A BAD LAW

ROMANS 7:21

“I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good.”

There are some laws on the books of countries that are just bad. Take for example the new anti-conversion laws in India. They went into effect last year and have caused death and destruction among the Christian population. I have friends serving as missionaries in that country, and they see fellow believers arrested and persecuted. Home churches can’t meet and most Christmas celebrations were cancelled for fear of attacks by others. This is a bad law.

Our verse today is the subject of much debate among scholars. The word translated “principle” can also be translated as law. What in the world does Paul mean by this verse. Once again, I turn to Albert Barnes who can explain this much better than I. “There can be no doubt that he refers here to his carnal and corrupt nature; to the evil propensities and dispositions which were leading him astray. His representing this as a law is in accordance with all that he says of it, that it is servitude, that he is in bondage to it, and that it impedes his efforts to be holy and pure. The meaning is this, ‘I find a habit, a propensity, an influence of corrupt passions and desires, which, when I would do right, impedes my progress, and prevents my accomplishing what I would.’”

APPLICATION

Let me ask you then, what principle or law within you keeps you from doing what is holy and right? It’s the same one that Paul talks about in today’s verse. You and I have the same sin nature that Paul had and fought against. We have a choice to make. Do we fight against this “principle,” this propensity to sin? Or do we give into our carnal appetites and just go with the flow?

In Galatians 5:17 Paul states this same idea when he writes, “For the desire of the flesh is against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, in order to keep you from doing whatever you want.” As long as we are living and breathing, we will wage this war. But beloved, do not be discouraged. This battle belongs to the Lord. As we submit ourselves to His will, He fights for us through His Holy Spirit in our lives.

Think about one sin you are struggling with. Now, give that to Jesus. Ask Him to guard your heart and mind against any inclination towards that sin. Ask Him to remove any desire you have to commit such sin. Study His Word. Fast and pray. Spend extended time in worship. All these will shove that sin back and defeat the evil one. If you are a follower of Christ, you are His. Believe that.

Lord, I do not want to fall into the trap of sin. Protect my eyes and heart from these unwholesome desires within me.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Freedom, Law, Opportunity, Romans, Scripture

AN OPPORTUNITY

ROMANS 7:8

“But sin, taking an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me coveting of every kind; for apart from the Law sin is dead.”

Let me just tell you, when I was living my life before Christ, I took every chance I could to do things which could be labeled ungodly and hedonistic. I’ve said before that I wasn’t a bad kid. I just liked to party and didn’t really care about the end result. I looked for opportunities to sin. I planned opportunities for it. But that was my life before Jesus. I’ve been attempting to live for him for a long time now. Sure, I have fallen short on too many occasions and sadly, I have even planned some of those failures.

Paul tells us in today’s verse that the desire and urge to sin was brought on by the rules and laws. “Don’t do this” only brought to our attention to do it. Let me give you an example. If I told you right now to not think about ice cream, what would you be thinking about? ICE CREAM (My favorite is Moose Tracks). You see what I mean. Naming sins can easily awaken the desire to pursue it.

APPLICATION

The Greek word for “opportunity” is aphormḗ “(from apó, ‘away from’ and hormḗ, ‘a violent rush’) – properly, a pretex (‘launching point’) to assert an idea – literally, ‘what charges from (off) a starting point’; (figuratively)…aphormḗ is usually used negatively in the NT, but positively in 2 Cor 5:12.” (HELPS Word-studies) Paul is telling us if we do not focus on the commands of the Law as a follower of Christ it will free us from these “eye openers” for sin. As he says at the end of the verse, “for apart from the Law sin is dead.”

In Galatians 5:13 the same word is used by Paul when he writes, “For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh but serve one another through love.” As followers of Christ, we are free from the Law, but that does not give us freedom to do whatever we want. We have the freedom to do what we should.

Later in 1 Timothy 5:14 Paul writes, concerning young widows, “Therefore, I want younger widows to get married, have children, manage their households, and give the enemy no opportunity for reproach;” Before I get cards and letters from the lady folks, Paul wasn’t being chauvinistic. He was trying to protect these young widows of being drawn into a sinful lifestyle once they were free from their husbands. The point was to not give the devil the chance to corrupt them.

What will you do with your opportunities today? Will you choose walking with Jesus or with the devil? It’s your choice.

O God, give me an undivided heart that I might not sin against You.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Bound, Freedom, Holy Spirit, New, Renewed, Scripture

NEWNESS OF THE SPIRIT

ROMANS 7:6

“But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.”

When I met my wife of over 40 years, we were friends and coworkers. She was one of my many friends and coworkers. That was a quantitative relationship. But when we got married our relationship changed from just friends to family. That was a qualitative change. She wasn’t just one of my friends anymore. We were husband and wife and in a totally different kind of relationship.

Why in the world am I talking about that? Because Paul uses a word in today’s verse that needs further explanation. When he writes “newness of the Spirit,” he uses the Greek word kainotés which is only used here and back in Romans 6:4 (newness of life). The Topical Lexicon says “kainotēs conveys the idea of qualitative ‘newness,’ a state or mode of existence that stands in sharp contrast to what has gone before. It is never a mere novelty: in Scripture it points to the decisive, divinely wrought transition from the old age under sin to the new age inaugurated by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.” We have a totally changed relationship to God because of Jesus.

APPLICATION

Not to overuse a source, but I want to also give you another quote from the Topical Lexicon. It’s a pretty powerful statement about the use of kainotēs in the two verses we are looking at. “Romans 6:4 and Romans 7:6 serve as theological pillars, illustrating both the accomplished reality and ongoing outworking of that divine newness in personal sanctification, corporate worship, and eschatological hope.” (Topical Lexicon) If you aren’t shouting, you should be. It’s accomplished and ongoing! Glory to God.

Newness of life and newness in the Spirit. What else could you want. At salvation we are given that newness in life. The old self dies and the new self is resurrected to walk with Him through each day of your life. That walk is possible because we also have the newness of the Spirit. Jesus told us He would give us a Comforter, and He did. He lives in and through us and helps us take each step.

Now listen close. Lean in here. Walk in that qualitative newness. It’s not like anything you had before Jesus. Any religious high you may have experienced won’t measure up. Any vow or promise you made to God won’t hold up to it. We have the freedom in Christ to now walk in newness of life and in the Spirit. Think about that. No more trudging along just trying to make it. We can literally and spiritually hop, skip and jump through life because of this newness. Start walking that way.

O Lord, I am so thankful for the newness You have given me in Jesus.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Christ, Death, Freedom, Husbands, Scripture, Sin, Wives

THE EXAMPLE CONTINUES

ROMANS 7:3

“So then, if while her husband is alive she gives herself to another man, she will be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from the law, so that she is not an adulteress if she gives herself to another man.”

Paul continues his example of marriage and remarriage in today’s verse. Like I said yesterday, these two verses are an illustration of the truth of sin being put to death in our lives and our new life in Jesus. That is the reason Paul uses this earthly example. It’s something the people could understand.

Jesus did the same thing when He spoke in parables. When his disciples asked Him why He spoke in this way, He explained Himself. We find that in Matthew 13.10-17. Let’s look at part of that passage here. “13 ‘This is why I speak to the crowds in parables: although they see, they don’t really see; and although they hear, they don’t really hear or understand. 14 What Isaiah prophesied has become completely true for them:

“You will hear, to be sure, but never understand;
and you will certainly see but never recognize what you are seeing.

15 For this people’s senses have become calloused,
and they’ve become hard of hearing, and they’ve shut their eyes so that they won’t see with their eyes or hear with their ears or understand with their minds and change their hearts and lives that I may heal them.”’” (Isaiah 6:9-10)

APPLICATION

Can I give you some advice on sharing the Gospel? Use personal examples from your life, things that others can relate to. That’s what Jesus and Paul were doing. They gave us a model to follow. When I have the opportunity to share with someone, I talk more about how the Lord has changed my life rather than rattling off Bible verses or waxing eloquently about Bible doctrine. I want whomever I am talking with to get a picture of what God does in someone’s life.

Paul’s use of the example in Romans 7:2-3 can make a deep theological thought more understandable. Death brings freedom. For the wife whose husband has died or husband whose wife has died, they are now free to remarry if God so ordains. Our sinful flesh was nailed to the cross and died with Christ. Because of that death, we are now free to live anew in Jesus. We are married to Christ forever.

Don’t make the simple more complicated just to sound more spiritual. I don’t think Jesus or Paul tried to make themselves sounds smart. They were more interested in telling them about God’s great plan of salvation than impressing anyone. Remember the comments about the disciples after Christ died. People knew these were ordinary men, but they had been in the presence of Jesus and were changed. You and I need to stay in the presence of Jesus and allow Him to impress, not us.

O God, hide me behind Jesus whenever I speak of Him.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Bonds, Death, Freedom, Husbands, Marriage, Scripture, Wives

CONTEXT IN KING

ROMANS 7:2

“For the married woman is bound by law to her husband as long as he is alive; but if her husband dies, she is released from the law concerning the husband.”

It is amazing how people can take a verse out of the middle of a passage and build a whole belief system on it. Today’s verse poses such an opportunity. Before you jump on me, I do believe in the sanctity of marriage. Not all marriages are salvageable, however, and God would never punish the innocent victim. (For more on that check on Dr. Spiros Zodhiates’ book on “Divorce and Remarriage.”)

But marriage and divorce were really not Paul’s intention in this passage. He is using an earthly illustration to build on the previous verse about our freedom from the Law versus our servitude to it. The Pulpit Commentary says it well. “The general drift of the above verses is plain enough; namely, that, as in all cases death frees a man from the claims of human law, and, in particular, as death frees the wife from the claims of marital law, so that she may marry again, so the death of Christ, into which we were baptized, frees us from the claims of the law which formerly bound us, so that we may be married spiritually to the risen Saviour, apart from the old dominion of law, and consequently of sin.”

APPLICATION

The word used by Paul translated as “bound” is deó. It literally means to bind, be in bonds, knit, tie or wind. Paul is not saying a woman is tied up when she is married. There weren’t ropes holding her to the man. Sure, there are spiritual implications to a marriage. Marriage should be between one man and one woman for life. The Mosaic Law taught that a man or woman was free to remarry if their spouse died. But the Law also allowed a man to divorce his wife for even a minor offense. In that culture, man ruled. Women were subservient. Paul is not talking about this.

Listen carefully. Paul is saying that when we died to sin (represented by the death of a spouse), we were free to walk with Christ (represented by the freedom to remarry). Celebrate your freedom in Christ. Don’t focus on the illustration. Focus on the truth. Every word of Scripture is inspired, so I know God through the Holy Spirit instructed Paul to write these words and use this illustration. He wanted to give us a way to understand the divine truth of our death and resurrection in Christ.

Are you still walking in bonds to your former manner of life? You may claim you have tried everything to be set free, but you just can’t shake it. Hogwash! When you say things like that, you are limited the God of the universe on whom there are no limits. Do you need help? You may, but you can free yourself from the bonds of sin that so easily entangle you.

Father God, You have set us free from the bonds of sin to walk free and victoriously in Christ

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Freedom, Jurisdiction, Law, Masters, Scripture, Slaves

JURISDICTION

ROMANS 7:1

“Or do you not know, brothers and sisters (for I am speaking to those who know the Law), that the Law has jurisdiction over a person as long as he lives?”

You may have heard the word “jurisdiction” in a cop show or court room drama. Law enforcement officers are normally restricted to their jurisdiction when it comes to making arrests. Judges also have districts which limit their rulings. Now, these “lines” of jurisdiction can be moved from time to time and law enforcement can work with other jurisdictions to enforce laws and catch bad guys. But what exactly did Paul mean when he used this word?

The Greek word used by Paul translated as “jurisdiction” is kyrieúō. It means “to exercise rights over one’s own property as an owner with full dominion (lordship) over this jurisdiction.” (HELPS Word-studies) This word is only used seven times in the New Testament with four of those occurring in Romans. We’ve already seen it in 6:9 and 14. We’ll see the word again in 14:9. Paul was emphasizing the power of sin over our lives before Christ and the power of the Law over those who tried to follow it.

APPLICATION

Perhaps one of the best uses of the word is found in Luke 22:25 where Jesus was confronting the disciples when they were caught disputing who was the greatest. He told them, “‘The kings of the Gentiles domineer over them; and those who have authority over them are called “Benefactors.”’” The word “domineer” is kyrieúō. Do you see it more clearly now?

The Topical Lexicon says kyrieúō “portrays the exercise of lordship—personal mastery that either liberates or oppresses, depending upon the one who wields it. In Scripture the term becomes a lens through which divine, moral, and relational authority are examined.” In today’s verse it is definitely a jurisdiction of oppression under the Law. There was no freedom found there.

So, how do you want to live your life? You say, I am not under the Law. I can do whatever I want. Really? If you do whatever you want, now your flesh is your master. If you try to keep all the laws, it is your master. You must decide to submit yourself to The Master Who sets you free. That freedom allows you to choose Him as Master. Come under His jurisdiction and find true freedom.

Thank You, O Father, for the freedom we have in Christ. He is the gentle Judge over our lives.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Death, Eternity, Freedom, Salvation, Scripture, Sin

TRUE FREEDOM

ROMANS 6:7

“for the one who has died is freed from sin.”

Why do we, as followers of Christ, get so sad and upset at the passing of another believer? Yes, there are emotions involved. Yes, we will miss that family member or friend. But if we stop and think about it, that fellow believer is now in the presence of our Savior and is truly free from sin. Wow! That is really something to celebrate. I don’t want my family and friends to grieve when I’m gone. Have a party! Celebrate my homegoing. I will not want to return here, I promise. Neither would you.

Paul states very clearly and unequivocably the truth of our salvation. There’s not a hidden truth here. It’s right there in plain sight. Paul isn’t talking about our physical death. He’s referring to our spiritual death to sin. Our old master no longer has power over us. We who were slaves to sin are now free. Hallelujah! Praise Jesus! The shackles have fallen off.

APPLICATION

In 2000 Mary Mary recorded a song entitled “Shackles (Praise You). I love the chorus of this song which says:

Take the shackles off my feet so I can dance
I just wanna praise You (what’cha wanna do?)
I just wanna praise You (yeah, yeah)
You broke the chains, now I can lift my hands (uh, feel me?)
And I’m gonna praise You (what’cha gon’ do?)
I’m gonna praise You

When we become freed from the sins that so easily entangle us, we do want to dance. Am I right? The power of sin is gone. Sure, we are still in its presence. We see that every day. But the control it had on our lives is finished. 1 Peter 4:1 comes to mind. “Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because the one who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,” Isn’t that awesome?

What is holding you down right now spiritually? Cast it aside in Jesus’ name. Claim victory right now over the temptations that bombard you. It may be greed, gluttony, immorality, anger… You know your poison, don’t you? Do not let it have mastery over you anymore. You are indeed free because you have died with Christ and were buried with Him. But don’t forget that you were also resurrected through Him to walk in newness of life. Now, go do that.

Father God, I praise You for breaking the shackles of sin in my life and allowing me to walk in victory!

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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