Being then made free from sin
Not from a sinful nature; nor from a corrupt heart; nor from vain
thoughts; nor from sinful words; nor from sinful actions
altogether; but from the damning power of sin: sin brought all
men under a sentence of condemnation; Christ has bore the
execution of this sentence in himself for his people; hence, as
considered in him, they are free from it; and such as are born
again have passed from death to life, and shall never enter into
condemnation: likewise, such persons are free from the guilt of
sin; men are in a legal sense arraigned for sin, accused of it,
and being convicted, are pronounced guilty before God; and
awakened souls have a sense of it in themselves; but the blood of
Christ sprinkled on their consciences frees them from it; though
fresh sins committed bring fresh guilt, which requires the
continual application of the blood of Jesus for pardon and
cleansing: but what is chiefly designed here is freedom from the
servitude of sin, as appears from the context. Now God's elect
are not released voluntarily by their former masters; nor is
their freedom obtained by their own power and will; but it is of
God, Father, Son, and Spirit; and the Gospel is generally the
means of it, and happy are those persons who are blessed with it!
They are rid of a bad master; are freed from the worst of
bondage; will be no more servants, as before; are delivered from
the power, and out of the kingdom of darkness; are heirs of
heaven, and shall enjoy the glorious liberty of the children of
God: and for the time present are
become the servants of righteousness;
servants to God, whose Gospel they obey; servants to Christ,
whose righteousness they submit to; and servants to the law of
righteousness, as held forth by Christ; they give up themselves
to a course and life of righteousness, in which there are true
honour, peace, and pleasure.