Verse: Romans 6:5-7
5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— 7 because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.

Devotion
This verse gives us hope. We have all battled (and continue to battle) sin in our lives. Sin can take many forms in our lives. It can show up in our motives, our words, and our actions. It can be jealousy, greed, gossip, addiction, sexual sin, and more. To sin means to “miss the mark” that God has set for our lives to be in line with his best for us.

There is a lot going on in these verses, but one take away for me is hope. Because we have faith in Jesus, our old life has died, and we have found new life in him. We are no longer slaves to sin, but have been set free to walk with Jesus in newness of life. Practically this means at least two things.

First – there is grace right now to overcome sin. It doesn’t mean we’ll be sinless, but it does mean that God comes near to help us, to give us grace, to give us a way out when we are tempted, and to forgive and heal us of the ravages of sin. This gives us hope. Sometimes it can feel like we can’t overcome sin in our lives. But the Bible teaches that we find new life in Jesus. It doesn’t mean we don’t have to work at it, but it does mean God helps us to overcome in ways we couldn’t without him.

Second – there is hope in knowing that we will one day be perfected with Jesus. When the end comes, we will know true and complete freedom. Oneness with God. Total healing. Total purity. No sin, no shame, no fear, and no regret.

So in our battle with sin let’s take heart. There is hope in Jesus. He has paid the price to buy you hope. Hope to overcome today in this life, and hope to have true freedom in the next. Praise God for the freedom he purchased for us on the cross!

Author: Christian Dunn