Bible Ballistics: BBs  #372    Free To…Or From…???

 

“For when ye were the servants of sin,

ye were free from righteousness.

21 What fruit had ye then

in those things

whereof ye are now ashamed?

for the end of those things is death.

22 But now being made free from sin,

and become servants to God,

ye have your fruit unto holiness,

and the end everlasting life.

23 For the wages of sin is death;

but the gift of God

is eternal life

through Jesus Christ our Lord.”     Romans 6:20-23

As we think of freedom and independence during this time of year in the U.S., what are we free from? Or, what are we free to? Paul answered both of these questions. We have a choice, and most around us seem to be headed down the wrong road, making poor choices, to say the least! But what are the choices? In reality we have many choices each day, but there is one choice that will affect all the other choices.

‘What choice is that?’ you might ask. Well that choice is what you and I will do with Jesus. We can choose to side with the sin that rules our world, or we can choose to be “freed” from that sin, by the salvation which Jesus offers through His own blood.

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”   Acts 4:12

The choice is a simple one—costly, but simple. We can either receive Jesus’ gift of salvation, or we can pay for our own sin. We are free to sin, if we so choose. Or we can be freed from sin, death and hell through the “blood of Jesus Christ his Son”! There are no other options!

Regardless of what the world may say, what the government may say, what other “religions” may say, there is only One Way to be free from the power and penalty of sin, and HIS name is Jesus! There is only One Way that gives life and real freedom, but you can choose the imitation freedom that leads to death (those ‘wages of sin’). (See John 14:6)

“For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 3:11

Even as Israel stood before their leader and general, Joshua, so many years ago, Joshua knew that every man, woman, boy and girl has to choose what they will do with the blessing and freedom that is offered to them, God’s freedom in salvation. You and I are also free to choose: to choose sin and its penalty, or to receive the salvation that Jesus bought with His own blood, and be “made free from sin” and its penalty? The choice is yours, a God-given right to choose, but remember, there is a test at the end! And only Jesus can provide the passing grade! To? Or from?

“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15   Amen Joshua!