He Sets the Prisoner Free
July 18, 2008

He breaks the power of cancelled sin,
he sets the prisoner free:
his blood can make the foulest clean;
his blood availed for me.
- Charles Wesley, “O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing”

Sometimes, as I see sin’s strong hold on people – including myself – I become discouraged. Deep-grained anger destroys relationships. Addictions turn smiling people into violent criminals. Envy embitters the heart. And I think to myself, “Surely, it is hopeless! The sin is too strong; even God can’t seem to help this mess.”

But that is a lie. Jesus “breaks the power of cancelled sin, he sets the prisoner free.” Colossians 2:13-15 puts it this way: “When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.”

Never forget – Jesus conquered all sin and all evil on the cross. It is because of his victory that Paul says in II Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.”

There is always hope!

• Is there someone in bondage to sin whom you have given up praying for because you feel hopeless? If so, reaffirm your faith in the sovereign grace and power of God, available to us in Jesus Christ. Commit to pray for that person regularly.
• Do you feel in bondage to a certain sin yourself? Feel “stuck” and helpless to overcome it? Power, grace, mercy, and hope are yours, too. Confess your sin, repent, and ask God to help you walk the victorious life in Christ. It may not be easy, but because of Jesus, it is possible.