We cannot be totally free from the presence of sin in this life, but we can be free from its power and dominion through Christ.

This is the beautiful tension of the “already but not yet” of the gospel. Christ has won the victory, and we walk in that triumph now—even as we long for the day when the battle is over. In our daily lives, we experience moments of joy and peace that reflect this victory, yet we also encounter struggles and challenges that remind us of the ongoing nature of our faith. As we navigate through life’s trials, we hold onto the hope of restoration and complete fulfillment that awaits us. Every act of kindness, every moment of grace, reinforces our understanding that the kingdom of God is both a present reality and a future promise, enriching our spirits as we strive to live out the teachings of Christ amidst a world that often feels heavy and burdensome.

Salvation is a threefold work:

• Justification — we are saved from the penalty of sin (past)
• Sanctification — we are being saved from the power of sin (present)
• Glorification — we will be saved from the presence of sin (future)

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1. We Are No Longer Slaves to Sin

“For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.”
— Romans 6:14

Before we came to Christ, we were dead in sin (Ephesians 2:1), helplessly bound to a sinful nature that could not please God (Romans 8:7–8). But in Christ, a radical change has occurred—we have been transferred from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of the Son (Colossians 1:13).

This is the doctrine of regeneration and union with Christ. At the moment of conversion, the believer is spiritually born again (John 3:3–5), made alive with Christ (Ephesians 2:5), and united with Him in His death and resurrection (Romans 6:5). This union results in a decisive break from sin’s authority.

Paul argues that those who are in Christ:

1. We Have Been Crucified with Christ — Our Old Self Is Dead

“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.” — Romans 6:6

Paul teaches that when we put our faith in Christ, something profound happens: we are spiritually united with Jesus in His death. This is not symbolic only—it is a real spiritual transaction.

• The “old self” refers to who we were in Adam — our fallen, rebellious identity under the dominion of sin, characterized by a deep-seated inclination towards selfish desires, a lack of spiritual awareness, and a disconnection from God’s will, which ultimately leads to destructive choices in our lives.
• The crucifixion of that old self means that the legal and spiritual rule of sin is broken, allowing for a newness of life to emerge, where freedom and grace replace the chains of past transgressions and the burdens of guilt.
• The “body ruled by sin” (or “body of sin”) means that the sinful nature no longer dominates or defines us, as we have been transformed and renewed in our spirit, allowing us to live according to a higher calling rooted in righteousness and grace.

This is not self-reformation. It is not “trying harder.” It is death to the old life, accomplished by union with Christ.

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me…” — Galatians 2:20

Though the old self is crucified, the flesh still lingers—but it no longer reigns. It’s like a dethroned tyrant that still tries to issue commands—but we no longer have to obey.

Application: Living in the Freedom of Our Crucified Old Self

Renew Your Identity Daily: “That’s not who I am anymore.”

• Victory starts with remembrance. Every day, we must remind ourselves that our old self is dead. Our new identity is not based on our feelings, past failures, or even current struggles—but on what Christ has accomplished.

Resist Sin by Rejecting the Old Allegiance : Though the flesh tries to whisper old commands, we have no obligation to obey it.

• “For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.” — Romans 6:14

• When temptation comes, don’t engage it in debate; remind it of the cross: “That person you’re speaking to—he’s dead.”
• Refuse to entertain old thought patterns, knowing they belong to a crucified past.
• Walk away from situations, environments, or influences that try to resurrect the old self.

Cultivate New Desires by Walking in the Spirit

• Freedom is not just resisting the old—it’s embracing the new. When we walk by the Spirit, the desires of the flesh are displaced.

“Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” — Galatians 5:16

• Fill your life with Spirit-led disciplines: prayer, worship, Scripture meditation, fellowship, and service.
• Spend intentional time asking the Holy Spirit to form new desires and affections in your heart.
• Replace temptation triggers with spiritual habits that strengthen your spirit.

Expect Ongoing Battle, But Stand in Finished Victory

• The presence of the flesh does not mean the old self is alive again. It’s a dethroned tyrant, not a reigning king.

• Don’t be surprised by struggle. Temptation is not a sign you are defeated—it’s an opportunity to exercise your new freedom.
• Learn to quickly confess and reset when you fall. The power of the cross means failure is never final.
• Celebrate small victories as evidence of Christ’s life growing within you.

Preach the Gospel to Yourself

“The Gospel is not just the ABCs of the Christian life, but the A to Z.” — Tim Keller

Daily victory comes by constantly returning to the finished work of Christ, not by trying to be strong in your own power.

• When accused by guilt, respond by pointing to Christ’s death and resurrection.
• When feeling weak, remember: the life you now live, you live by faith in the Son of God (Gal. 2:20).
• Saturate your mind with Gospel truth through books, sermons, and Scripture.

When temptation calls, don’t negotiate—declare your death in Christ.
When guilt accuses, don’t retreat—run to the cross where your old self was crucified.
When fear whispers, don’t tremble—proclaim: “Christ lives in me!”

You are no longer who you once were.
You are free—not because you strive harder,
but because you have already been crucified with Christ.
Now you live a new life—rooted in grace, empowered by His Spirit.

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2. We Are Raised with Him — We Walk in Newness of Life

Romans 6:4 “We were buried with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead… we too might walk in newness of life.” 

Just as we were united with Christ in His death, we are also united with Him in His resurrection. His resurrection is not only a future hope—it is a present power.

• This is the doctrine of regeneration—the new birth. We are not just forgiven; we are made new (2 Corinthians 5:17).
• “Walking in newness of life” means living a Spirit-empowered life of obedience, joy, holiness, and purpose.
• This new life reflects the resurrection power of Jesus working in us (Philippians 3:10).

This is not a self-improvement plan. It is a supernatural transformation. God doesn’t just clean the old you—He creates a new you.

Embrace Your New Identity with Confidence

“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” — 2 Corinthians 5:17

The resurrection means you are truly made new—not just improved or cleaned up.
You are no longer defined by past sins, old failures, or former labels.
You are now a child of God, alive to His purposes.

• Start your day by declaring: “I am alive in Christ. I am a new creation.”
• When past shame or old temptations whisper, respond: “That’s not who I am anymore.”
• Build your self-view on Scripture, not on feelings or past experiences.

Walk Daily by the Power of the Holy Spirit

“If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.” — Galatians 5:25

Resurrection life is not lived by human effort—it’s empowered by the Spirit.
You now have a new power within you to walk in obedience, holiness, joy, and love.

• Begin each day with a simple prayer: “Holy Spirit, lead me today.”
• Say “yes” quickly to God’s promptings—whether it’s to forgive, serve, or speak truth.
• Replace striving with abiding: stay close to Jesus, and fruitfulness will naturally follow.

Step Boldly into Your God-Given Purpose

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” — Ephesians 2:10

You have been raised with Christ for a reason.
Your life is not random—you are called to walk in the good works God has prepared for you.

• View each day as a mission: “I am alive to glorify Christ today.”
• Look for small acts of obedience: sharing encouragement, showing compassion, doing excellent work.
• Trust that if you are alive in Christ, you are fully equipped for the assignments He places before you.

Don’t live like you’re still dead.
Don’t walk like you’re still chained.
You are raised. You are new. You are empowered.
Now walk boldly in the resurrection life Christ has given you!

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3. We Are Indwelt by the Holy Spirit — He Empowers Our Obedience

“If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ… But if Christ is in you… the Spirit gives life because of righteousness.” — Romans 8:9–11

Paul’s climactic argument is that the Holy Spirit now lives in us. The Spirit is not merely a divine force but a divine Person—the very presence of God in the believer.

• The indwelling Spirit is the seal of our salvation (Ephesians 1:13–14), the source of our sanctification (Galatians 5:22–23), and the guarantee of our resurrection (Romans 8:11).
• The Spirit transforms our inner desires so that we begin to love righteousness and hate sin (Ezekiel 36:27).
• He empowers us to “put to death the misdeeds of the body” (Romans 8:13), giving us both the will and the strengthto obey.

This marks a shift from external law-keeping to internal Spirit-led living: “The law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” — Romans 8:2

We are not left to obey on our own. The same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead now dwells in us and animates our spiritual life.

Application: Living by the Power of the Indwelling Spirit

Rely on the Spirit as Your Daily Helper

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit… will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” — John 14:26

You are not left to face temptation, hardship, or obedience alone.
The Holy Spirit is your personal Helper, teacher, comforter, and guide.

• Begin your day with dependence: pray, “Holy Spirit, help me today. Lead my thoughts, words, and actions.”
• When you feel overwhelmed, pause, breathe, and whisper, “Holy Spirit, strengthen me.”
• Trust that the Spirit actively helps you understand, remember, and apply God’s Word.

Walk in Step with the Spirit, Not by Sheer Willpower

“Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” — Galatians 5:16

Victory over sin doesn’t come by trying harder, but by yielding quicker—leaning into the Spirit’s power, not your own strength.

• Cultivate sensitivity to the Spirit’s voice through Scripture, prayer, and stillness.
• Obey Spirit-promptings immediately—whether it’s resisting temptation, offering forgiveness, or speaking truth.
• Confess quickly when you stumble and realign yourself to walk again under His leadership.

3. Trust the Spirit to Transform You from the Inside Out

“I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes and be careful to obey My rules.” — Ezekiel 36:27

The Spirit doesn’t just command holiness—He creates it within you by changing your heart’s desires.

• Pray daily: “Holy Spirit, shape my desires. Teach me to love what You love and hate what You hate.”
• Focus less on outward behavior management, more on inward heart transformation.
• Believe in the Spirit’s power to produce real, lasting change—fruit that remains (Galatians 5:22–23).

You are never fighting sin alone.
You are never called to obey alone.
The Spirit Himself lives in you—to help, to empower, and to transform.

You don’t just have a new command—you have a new Companion.
Walk with Him, trust Him, and let Him change you from within.

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Summary Integration:

Together, these three truths paint a complete picture of what it means to belong to Christ:

• Crucified with Him — we are no longer defined or dominated by our past.
• Raised with Him — we are empowered to live a new kind of life.
• Indwelt by the Spirit — we are never alone, but filled with divine help.

Romans 6:4 We are no longer obligated to sin. We are no longer identified by our past. We are sons and daughters of God, called to walk in the newness of life.

This freedom doesn’t mean perfection, but it does mean a new power and a new pattern:

• We are no longer obligated to obey sinful impulses. We are freed from sin’s dominion.
• Sin no longer defines our identity—we are saints, not slaves (1 Corinthians 1:2).
• We receive a new heart and new spirit (Ezekiel 36:26–27).
• The Holy Spirit lives in us, empowering us to say no to sin and yes to righteousness (Galatians 5:16).

“True freedom is not the liberty to do whatever we want, but the ability to do what pleases God.” — Augustine (paraphrased)

While temptation remains, we are not powerless. We are free to fight and, by God’s grace, free to win.

“He breaks the power of cancelled sin, He sets the prisoner free…” — Charles Wesley

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2. But We Still Struggle with Sin’s Presence

“If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” — 1 John 1:8

Even though we are no longer enslaved to sin, we are not yet sinless. Paul, the apostle who spoke so boldly about freedom in Christ, also confessed the painful inner conflict he faced:

“I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.” — Romans 7:19

This is the experience of every honest believer: the presence of sin still lingers in our fallen flesh (Romans 7:18). The devil still tempts. The world still entices. The old nature still resists. Yet, this inner conflict is not a sign of spiritual failure—it is a sign of spiritual life. Before we knew Christ, there was no struggle. Now that we are in Christ, the presence of the Spirit awakens a new desire for holiness that battles against the flesh.

This highlights the doctrine of indwelling sin. Though our legal status before God is changed (justification), our flesh—that is, our fallen human nature—still remains with us.

Paul’s testimony in Romans 7 reveals the inner tension every believer experiences: “I delight in the law of God in my inner being, but I see another law… waging war against the law of my mind” (Romans 7:22–23).

This is not spiritual defeatism, but a realistic picture of life between the cross and the crown. Even though Christ has defeated sin’s dominion, the battle persists:

1. The World Entices Us

“For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.”
— 1 John 2:16

The “world” in this sense is not referring to creation or humanity, but to the fallen system of values and priorities that opposes God. It is the culture shaped by sin, driven by self-interest, pride, and rebellion against God.

What does the world do?

• It normalizes sin and mocks righteousness.
• It seduces with false promises of happiness, identity, and worth through materialism, fame, beauty, and self-glory.
• It often encourages a life independent of God, affirming autonomy over submission.

This system appeals to:

• The lust of the flesh (pleasures),
• The lust of the eyes (possessions),
• The pride of life (position).

Just as the forbidden fruit appeared “pleasing to the eye” to Eve (Genesis 3:6), the world still dresses up sin to appear beautiful.

“Don’t let the world squeeze you into its mold.” — Romans 12:2, paraphrased

2. The Flesh Resists the Spirit

“For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh… They are in conflict with each other.”
— Galatians 5:17

The “flesh” refers to the residual sinful nature still present in believers. Though our old self was crucified (Romans 6:6), the inclination toward sin remains. It is the part of us that still wants to go our own way and be our own lord.

What does the flesh do?

• It opposes spiritual growth.
• It craves instant gratification, refuses correction, and resists holiness.
• It blinds us to the beauty of obedience and the joy of submission.

This is why even believers feel an inner tug-of-war:

• We want to pray, but we’re distracted.
• We want to forgive, but we resist.
• We long for holiness, but we fight apathy.

This is not hypocrisy—it’s spiritual warfare within the heart.

Paul describes this struggle in Romans 7: “I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing…”
And yet, he finishes with hope: “Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!”(Romans 7:25)

“The flesh can never be reformed. It must be crucified daily.” — Martyn Lloyd-Jones

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3. The Devil Tempts and Accuses

• “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” — 1 Peter 5:8
• “The accuser of our brothers… who accuses them day and night before our God.” — Revelation 12:10

The devil is real, personal, and determined to oppose God’s people. Though he is a defeated foe (Colossians 2:15), he still exercises temporary influence in this age as the “prince of the power of the air” (Ephesians 2:2).

What does the devil do?

• He tempts like he did with Jesus (Matthew 4:1–11), twisting Scripture and manipulating desires.
• He accuses—reminding us of past sins to steal our joy, confidence, and assurance.
• He deceives, appearing as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14), promoting half-truths and spiritual shortcuts.

Satan’s primary weapon is the lie. He is the “father of lies” (John 8:44), and his strategy is always to distort God’s truth, attack God’s character, and undermine our identity in Christ.

“Sin remains in us, but it does not reign over us.” — John Owen

But we are not defenseless:

• We are called to resist him (James 4:7).
• We are armed with the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10–18).
• We overcome him “by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimony” (Revelation 12:11).

“Satan knows your name but calls you by your sin. God knows your sin but calls you by your name.” — Greg Laurie

However, this struggle is not without hope. In fact, the very presence of the struggle reveals that the Holy Spirit is at work in us. Dead people don’t wrestle with sin—only the spiritually alive do.

As believers:

• We are called to daily confession and repentance (1 John 1:9).
• We are warned not to grieve the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30).
• We are exhorted to crucify the flesh daily (Galatians 5:24).

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3. We Are Being Sanctified

2 Corinthians 3:18 “And we all… are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory.”

Sanctification is the ongoing, progressive work of the Holy Spirit that transforms us into the likeness of Christ. It’s not instant perfection—it’s increasing reflection.

Justification is once and for all. Sanctification is day by day.

It involves:

• A daily surrender of our will to God (Luke 9:23) is essential for cultivating a profound spiritual life, allowing us to align our desires with divine purpose and experience transformative growth in our faith.
• A continual renewal of our minds through His Word (Romans 12:2), embracing the transformative power of Scripture to shape our thoughts, actions, and ultimately our lives.
• A cooperative process where we work out our salvation even as God works in us (Philippians 2:12–13), by relying on His strength and guidance, engaging in prayer and reflection, while actively participating in acts of service and love towards others.

This process is:

• Sometimes slow and painful.
• Full of trials that shape our character, helping us grow in patience and resilience, ultimately leading to maturity and completeness, as emphasized in James 1:2–4.
• Marked by small victories and setbacks—but always moving forward.

God is more interested in our growth than in our performance.
“God’s work in sanctification is not to make us better versions of ourselves, but to make us more like Jesus.” — Jen Wilkin

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4. One Day, We Will Be Totally Free from Sin

“When Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.”
— 1 John 3:2

This is our blessed hope: glorification. The day is coming when we will see Jesus face to face, and we will be changed—fully, finally, and forever.

In that moment:

• Our bodies will be glorified (1 Corinthians 15:42–44), transformed into a perfect, immortal state, free from pain and suffering, reflecting the glory of God in their new creation.
• Our desires will be perfectly pure.
• Our joy will be unhindered.
• Sin, suffering, temptation, and death will be no more (Revelation 21:4, 27), as we look forward to a time of eternal peace and joy where all the burdens of this world will fade away, illustrating the ultimate hope and promise of redemption in the divine plan.

We will live in perfect fellowship with God and one another—no more inner war, no more shame, no more need for confession.

“Christians are not sinless, but they should sin less, and one day they will sin no more.” — Adrian Rogers

Until that day, we live in confident hope, pressing forward by grace.

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Summary Table:

Aspect of Sin	Status in the Believer’s Life	Biblical Reference
Penalty of Sin	✅ Removed — We are justified by faith	Romans 5:1
Power of Sin	✅ Broken — We are no longer slaves to sin	Romans 6:14, Titus 2:11–12
Presence of Sin	❌ Still present — Until Christ returns	1 John 1:8, Romans 7:18–25
Future of Sin	🚫 Totally gone — We will be glorified	1 John 3:2, Revelation 21:4

“Justification is what God does for us. Sanctification is what God does in us. Glorification is what God does to us.”— R.C. Sproul

Closing Statement:

We live in the beautiful tension of the gospel—
where the battle still rages, but the victory is already won.

In Christ, the penalty of sin is behind us.
The power of sin is being broken within us.
And the very presence of sin will one day vanish before us.

Though the shadows still fall, they cannot overcome the light.
Though the struggle remains, it cannot steal our hope.

Every step we take in faith, every whisper of grace, every act of love
proclaims that the kingdom is here—and yet greater glory is still coming.

So we fight, but we do not fear.
We strive, but not alone.
We groan, but with unshakable hope.

For one day the trumpet will sound, the skies will open,
and sin’s last breath will be drawn—forever.

Until that day, we walk in the power of the risen Christ,
hearts set on the victory that is already ours,
and eyes fixed on the day when freedom will be full,
and joy will never end.