No Longer A Slave to Sin

By Brian Pusateri | April 3, 2012 | | Share on Facebook

Here we are at the beginning of Holy Week. I have been praying for the last several days that God would give me just the right thing to write about during this very special week. Perhaps you, like me, started off this week contemplating the reading of the Passion on Palm Sunday and we will conclude this week in awe and wonder of Christ’s triumphant resurrection from death. It is clear to me there is nothing unique I can write that has not already been written about the significance of this special week, especially considering how well Paul summed it up below.

We begin this week with our focus on the cross. We focus on the reality that it was our sins that nailed Him to that cross. Lent has been a time of quiet reflection. We have examined ourselves and we are keenly aware of our failings and sinfulness. Then, our focus shifts to the unfathomable love of Jesus, who knowing of our sinfulness still freely chose to accept death on a cross to forgive our sins and win for us eternal life. Then, we conclude the week with the Joy of the resurrection. Yes, HE IS ALIVE!

But as we pray and experience again His passion this special week, we must not allow it to escape us that many people do not yet have a relationship with our Savior. We must remember Jesus Himself called us by name to carry this message to others. Cursillo and the other Cursillo-like movements are focused on changing all environments for Christ. We are called to so much more than just our own personal relationship with Christ. Christ Himself has called us to spread the Gospel by how we live with others, so as to bring about the total transformation of our environments for Christ. Many people are still enslaved to their sins. Christ alone is the answer to their brokenness, and we have been chosen to share this good news with them.

Let’s look at what Paul had to say. Paul explained it this way:

Rom 6: 3-11

“Brothers and sisters:Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesuswere baptized into his death?We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death,so that, just as Christ was raised from the deadby the glory of the Father,we too might live in newness of life.

For if we have grown into union with him through a death like his,we shall also be united with him in the resurrection.We know that our old self was crucified with him,so that our sinful body might be done away with,that we might no longer be in slavery to sin.For a dead person has been absolved from sin.If, then, we have died with Christ,we believe that we shall also live with him.We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more;death no longer has power over him.As to his death, he died to sin once and for all;as to his life, he lives for God.Consequently, you too must think of yourselves as being dead to sinand living for God in Christ Jesus.”

This indeed is the Good News. Through Christ’s love for us and through His death and resurrection we realize that He took our sins to the cross. He has broken the chains that bind us. He wants us to live with a newness of life. He wants us to share eternal life with Him. Chosen asHis Christian disciples, let’s go forth after Easter renewed with His Spirit, to share His love and His freedom over the slavery of sin with all of those we meet.

Lord, we are in awe of the depth of your love for us. During this Holy Week help us to experience Your love in a profound and deeper way as we reflect on Your passion. Then filled with Your love and Spirit grant us the strength we need to be bearers of this good news in a hurting world. Amen!

Brian Pusateri
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