Set Free | Qualities of Women Who Trust Jesus
“But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.” — Romans 6:17-18
Adnan Syed knows what being set free feels like. In 1999, Syed was accused of murdering his high school girlfriend. At 18 years old, he was sentenced to life in prison plus 30 years. In 2014, after discovering information about questionable evidence, a reporter created a podcast called Serial, which caught like wildfire. Mesmerized by compelling interviews and fascinating facts surrounding the case, people around the world became obsessed with listening to the podcast and debating Syed’s innocence.
Fast forward to September 2022. Syed, having spent 23 years of his life in prison was shocked when a Baltimore judge re-examined the evidence from his case and vacated his conviction, meaning he was officially released from the guilt and penalty of the crime.
What must that have felt like? After being imprisoned for more than half his life, what was it like to walk out of that prison and into freedom?
In Romans 6, Paul gives his readers a picture of what true freedom is like. He says there’s basically two kinds of people. Those who are slaves to sin, which leads to death, and those who are slaves to obedience, which leads to righteousness (Romans 6:16).
The person who is a slave to sin is not free at all; instead, they’re mastered by their sinful nature, overpowered by its desires and cravings. They’re bound up, imprisoned by sin and weighed down by its oppressive power. They are unable to stand up under temptation, and they are bent toward living for themselves.
But the other person walks in true freedom. Freedom to live the way they were created to live. Freedom to walk in gratitude, joy, and “newness of life” (Romans 6:4). Freedom to receive the benefits of holiness, including eternal life (Romans 6:22). Freedom to live for God, not for themselves, and freedom to obey His ways, not out of obligation or coercion but “from the heart” (Romans 6:17).
Romans 6 reminds us that because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, we have a brand new identity. Those who truly trust in Jesus aren’t using their freedom to satisfy selfish desires. They aren’t manipulating the gospel to excuse sin, thinking in some twisted way that it highlights God’s grace even more. Paul shows us that’s impossible because the Christian has a completely new identity. They’ve died and been buried with Christ only to rise with Him as a new creature— one who has been set free from sin’s grip (Romans 6:1-11).
In Syed’s case, the court decided there was not sufficient evidence to prove his guilt. But in our case, we have been proven guilty. We haven’t been set free from the prison of sin because of our own innocence or because of a flawed justice system. Justice was done when Jesus took our guilt on his shoulders. He served the sentence and endured the punishment that was meant for us.
Sister, let’s walk in the freedom that Jesus purchased for us. Let’s do whatever it takes to fix our eyes on Him and remember who we are. We are no longer held captive by things that oppose God. We are a brand new creation. We have been set free.
REFERENCE:
https://www.nytimes.com/article/adnan-syed-serial-timeline-serial.html
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/adnan-syed-serial-released-from-prison-180980811/
For Your Journal
Find It:
In this portion of your journal, write out a Bible verse. You can find a verse that fits a current life situation or use the one we used in today’s devotion.
“But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.” — Romans 6:17-18
Fix It:
In this portion of your journal, pull out a few key words from the verse you chose above, or summarize the verse in your own words. Write it in pretty lettering or sketch something that will help you visualize the meaning of the verse and fix it in your mind. Repeat these words to yourself throughout the week to remind you of the truth contained in the scripture. Here are some options:
Set FREE
Obedient from the heart
Feel It:
In this portion of your journal, write out a prayer. The goal is to absorb the meaning of the Bible passage and let it take root in your heart. Ask the Lord to let his word change you by the power of his Spirit so that you begin to feel like the new person you’re becoming in Christ. Surrender any areas of your life that you are trying to control.
Jesus, thank you for purchasing my freedom at the expense of your life. Sin and its effects are so strong; I find myself repeatedly slipping back into its grip. Help me to remember that I am a whole new person in you. I’m dead to sin and therefore set free from its influence. Holy Spirit, help me to feel this truth take root in my heart and allow me to experience freedom in my real life. Let fear, impatience, unbelief, and discontentment release their shackles on my heart in the name of Jesus. You’ve already served my sentence for these offenses and a million others. I trust you and believe that you have set me free. Amen.