“… knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot” (1 Peter 1:18-19).
Every human is born with a sinful heart. That is a harsh judgment, since we tend to see newborns as sweet and innocent. We can hardly believe that God would hold a different opinion. And it is indeed true that these little ones have not yet committed any sin that could be blamed on them.
But when they grow up, their sinful hearts show all too clearly… We humans are not born “blank”. We are not able to live right. We are “sold under sin” (Romans 7:14).
But the power and inevitability of sin have been broken by the atoning death of Jesus Christ. Even if we are born in families that have been enslaved to sin for generations, this “inheritance” can be overcome by the precious blood of Christ. He was without blemish, so his death was not a judgment on any sin of his own. He took our sins upon himself and was “sacrificed” in our place.
Being united with Christ by faith, means we are no longer a slave of sin, but voluntarily submit ourselves to God’s will. “Now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and
its end, eternal life” (Romans 6:22).
Are you still a slave to sin? Or are you you become a new creation through the blood of Jesus?