I’m A Believer (Part Four)

Ok, I know I’m a day late.  I am sorry.  I attended a wonder Church service late night and let the time get away.

We are still looking at Freedom.  When I say freedom, I am talking about real freedom that comes from the right relationship with Jesus Christ. This week let’s explore the first necessity.

Romans 6:6-11 NASB  knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin;  (7)  for he who has died is freed from sin.  (8)  Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him,  (9)  knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him.  (10)  For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.  (11)  Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Necessity One:  Believers must be disciplined in their thinking.  Paul tells us that there are things we need to know.  One, a believer that is dead in Christ is freed from sin.  Two, since he is dead with Christ he shall also live with Christ.

We are also to reckon (used in King James Version).  We are to ponder or think about how Christ died unto sin once and lives unto God.  Likewise reckon that believers are dead to sin but alive unto God through Jesus Christ.

No wonder Paul says in Philippians 4:13 NASB  I can do all things through HIM who strengthens me.

It is a necessity that we be disciplined in our thinking so we can reckon about Christ.

Next week we will finish this series with a look at the Second Necessity.