There are two important phrases in these verses that Paul uses. The first one is “old self” and the second is “born again”. The first phrase is a symbol of who a person is before they are spiritually reborn. The second is how a person is restored to a right relationship with God.
The old self is a person not following Christ. They are going there own way apart from God. The body of sin is referring to the human body as it is enslaved to sin. It is controlled by ungodly desires. This sinful nature remains in us even after we have accepted Christ and follow him. It’s a battle we fight daily with our soul and spirit. According to Galatians 5:21, those who continue to yield in their sinful nature cannot truly be apart of God’s kingdom. We have to fight to be obedient to the ways of God. We are in a battle constantly to fight against sin, however, that subject is for another day.
When we are truly reborn again spiritually means that our sins have been crucified on the cross with Christ. We are not slaves to sin and Satan anymore. WE have the power through the Holy Spirit to resist our sinful nature. We then have a new and transformed life in Christ. Our slavery to sin has been broken. Believers must not allow their old form of existence and their old ways of living rules and control their lives and bodies.
If we have a personal relationship with Christ, our lives should be evidence of the changes God is making in our lives. If we are caught up in any ungodly desires/behaviors, we have either not experienced a true spiritual rebirth or we have given ourselves back to our old self of sin. We have put ourselves back into the slavery of sin.
Are you aware of your battle for your soul each day?
Are you free from sin or a slave to sin?
Do you see any evidence of God changing your life?
Dear Heavenly Father,
I thank you for breaking the chains that are in our lives. Thank you for freeing us. I pray that we will be alert and ready to battle sin. To fight the urge to the temptation. Put a desire in our hearts to be obedient to you and to build a relationship with you. I ask that we put aside the things that distract us from you.
In Jesus Name
Amen
