"We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin." Romans 6:6,7
Runners World Magazine recently published an article titled, "37 Mistakes Runners Can't Stop Making". And nearing the bottom of the list, nestled between poorly timing our bathroom breaks and not sleeping enough, was reason number 34... being a slave to our training plan. And the problem with sticking to a prescribed running regimen at the expense of everything else? Because anytime we let a habit or regimen control our lives, that habit soon becomes a problem-the routine becomes our master and we are controlled by it.
And while some runners might indeed be a slave to their training plans, many others are held captive by addictions such as binge eating, anorexia, alcohol, drugs, shopping, sex, pride or a host of other things. But the great thing is they (and we) don't have to stay that way, a prisoner to whatever destructive habit or pattern that we struggle with. The Bible tells us so saying, "when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin."
So why do so many of us continue in sin knowing that we are free then? Pastor Mark Altrogge says it this way, "Imagine a slave in the days of Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. As he leaves his old life walking away from the plantation where he was a slave, his master sees him and yells, “Get back here!” At first, the former slave feels all the old fears come rushing in. His first instinct is, “I have to do what he says.” Then he remembers, “Wait a minute! I’m no longer a slave! I don’t have to do what you say." So, today, let us too say, "I'm no longer a slave!" knowing and believing that those "who died with Christ" are no longer "slaves to sin."
So why do so many of us continue in sin knowing that we are free then? Pastor Mark Altrogge says it this way, "Imagine a slave in the days of Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. As he leaves his old life walking away from the plantation where he was a slave, his master sees him and yells, “Get back here!” At first, the former slave feels all the old fears come rushing in. His first instinct is, “I have to do what he says.” Then he remembers, “Wait a minute! I’m no longer a slave! I don’t have to do what you say." So, today, let us too say, "I'm no longer a slave!" knowing and believing that those "who died with Christ" are no longer "slaves to sin."
Heavenly Father, thank you for your Word that clearly tells us that we have been set free from the chains of addiction if we would only choose to die to you each and every day. We ask that you give us the strength to do this very thing. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!!!
Break every chain - Jesus Culture
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