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Praise God! As genuine born-again Christians, not only are all of our past sins forgiven, but even more glorious, we are no longer enslaved to sin. Sin no longer has dominion over those that are in Christ. By Christ’s death and resurrection, genuine Christians have been set free from bondage to sin. We have been set free from bondage to sin leading to death, and have been enslaved to God resulting in sanctification, the end of which is eternal life. We are no longer forced by the sin in our flesh to practice the evil that we do not want to do. Now as believers, we only sin when we choose to, when we are drawn away and enticed by our own evil desires. As James says, Each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own lust and enticed (James 1:14). This is why it is so important that we control what we think about. Paul exhorts us, Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:1-3). Paul continues, Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise—dwell on these things (Philippians 4:8, HCSB). If we think about these things, we will act accordingly. The thoughts we dwell on lead to the actions we take. It is because of this truth, those that are in Christ Jesus are no longer enslaved to sin, that we are expected by God to live holy lives. Genuine Christians are no longer slaves of sin. We are now slaves of God resulting in sanctification. Because sin no longer has dominion over us, we are now free to serve God in newness of life. We begin this life of serving God by setting our minds on the Spirit. We are empowered by the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus. It has set us free from the law of sin and of death. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death (Romans 8:2). We are free, not to live according to the flesh, but to live according to the Spirit. Therefore, we must set our minds not on the things of the flesh, but on the Spirit and the things of the Spirit Paul explains, For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who are in accord with the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are in accord with the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. So then, brothers and sisters, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— for if you are living in accord with the flesh, you are going to die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons and daughters of God. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons and daughters by which we cry out, Abba! Father! The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him (Romans 8:3-17, NASB). Could God have made it any clearer? Christians are expected to live holy lives in obedience to the leading of the indwelling Holy Spirit. John affirms, This is how we are sure that we have come to know Him: by keeping His commands. The one who says, ‘I have come to know Him,’ yet doesn't keep His commands, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly in him the love of God is perfected. This is how we know we are in Him: The one who says he remains in Him should walk just as Jesus walked (1 John 2:3-6). Peter urges us, Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts.