Romans 6:6-7 (NIV)
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.

Sometimes when I read this verse I wonder to myself about certain sins that I’ve never been able to gain complete victory over. I ask myself, if Jesus died to free me from my sins why do I still struggle with them? Why can’t I just crucify my old self and be done with them?

Perhaps you’ve asked the same question at times. Maybe you too, struggle with certain sins that you just can’t get rid of.
Paul once asked the same question.

Romans 7:15-24 (NIV)
I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.

I guess if even the Apostle Paul struggled with this same frustration then perhaps we’re not alone. Still the struggle is there and we want to be completely free of sin, whether it’s gossip or lying or lust. The truth is that we are now freed from the hold that sin has on us and while it no longer has the death grip on us we won’t actually experience fuller victory until we reach the other side.

So we’re not sinless Christians but hopefully we’re Christians that do sin less. The fact that the sin bothers us is perhaps encouragement that the Holy Spirit is at work in us day-by-day making us more like Christ.

Hebrews 12:1(NIV)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.