Eyes Wide Open: 40-Day Lenten Devotional Sample

Freedom from Sin 

“For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.”- Romans 6:6-7

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound.” - Isaiah 61:1

When we think of oppression, it’s easy to think of purely physical challenges. We picture the millions of global victims of modern slavery on any given day. We remember those who live in poverty. We contemplate what daily life looks like for many who’ve suffered for years with severe illness. 

But amidst these harsh realities, we recognize that it was Christ—as the prophet Isaiah wrote— who came to bring good news to the poor and bind up broken hearts. He came to liberate those in bondage not only in physical chains of slavery, but spiritual chains formed from our own sin. 

Through Christ’s crucifixion, death, and resurrection, we are offered freedom from captivity to sin. Romans 6 emphasizes the ways that sin is a form of slavery—a condition we could never escape from on our own. 

But we have been crucified with Christ and so our old, sin-filled selves no longer live. The body ruled by sin has been done away with, replaced by one that has been made new in and through his sacrifice on our behalf.

Those held captive in the bondage of sin have finally been made free. 

Prayer: Father, we praise you because our old selves have been crucified with Christ. We rejoice in light of your work in making us new and freeing us from the bondage of sin and shame. Help allow our hearts to continue being refreshed by your grace and redemptive power. Amen.