For we know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.
—Romans 6:6-7
On June 6, 1944, the Allied forces stormed the beaches of Normandy, and it was the beginning of the end for the Nazi grip on Europe. One of the best things Deb and I ever did was visit those beaches. When you walk on that sand, you’re walking on holy ground, so many fell there for the sake of liberating a continent.
They called it D-Day, and the “D” stood for decision. After years of planning, the whole operation came down to one man’s decision to give the green light. And once Eisenhower gave it, there was no turning back. The decision was made; the liberation was launched.
I believe there’s a D-Day in the life of every believer, a decision day when we declare, by faith, that we will live in the liberty Christ has won for us. And this passage was the very ground on which I planted my own stake as a young man. I read these words as a teenager, and there came a time when I said, in effect, “This is my D-Day. I’m going to live in victory and not in slavery to sin.”
Look at what Paul says happened to you at the cross: “our old self was crucified with him.” When did you die to sin? Two thousand years ago, at Calvary. If I asked how many people died at Mount Calvary, you might say three, Jesus and the two thieves. Physically, yes. But spiritually, every person who has ever put their faith in Christ was there, united with Him in His death.
And why did the old self have to be crucified? “In order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.” There it is, the purpose of the cross wasn’t only to forgive your sin but to break its grip. “Anyone who has died has been set free from sin.” You are no longer living in the domain of death, no longer under the dominion of sin and Satan.
Before Christ, sin was your master and you had no real choice, you served it because you belonged to it. But now everything has changed. You belong to Jesus. The chains have been cut. When temptation comes whispering that you have to give in, that you can’t help yourself, that’s the old lie of a defeated master trying to act like he still owns you. He doesn’t.
This isn’t hype; it’s hope. You are not a victim of sin; you are a victor in Christ. But like the soldiers at Normandy, you have to decide to live in the liberty that’s already been secured.
So, plant your stake. Make today your D-Day. Declare that because your old self was crucified with Christ, you will no longer live as a slave to what He died to free you from.
YOUR OLD SELF WAS CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST. PLANT YOUR STAKE AND LIVE IN THE LIBERTY HE HAS ALREADY WON.
