Romans 6.6-7:
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. (7) For one who has died has been set free from sin. (ESV)
The New Testament specifically affirms that everyone who has ever lived, except for Jesus Christ, is a sinner by his or her very nature. It is inescapable, as Romans 3.23 says, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” (ESV). And even after person becomes a Christian, there is still a battle with temptation and sin that he or she must contend with. Sin still wars against us.
In verse 6 above, when a person becomes a Christian, at that moment he or she is “crucified together” with Christ, spiritually speaking. This is a symbolic way of saying that at the time of accepting Christ, the person we were before Christ has been identified with Christ and put to death. And in the same way Christ was raised from the dead, we are given a new life to live by the power of Christ. To live the type of life Jesus wants us to live, not chasing after sin or giving in to temptation. We receive a new nature from Christ and the body of sin holds no authority over us.
Even though sin still fights against us, we have been set free from its power. On a moment by moment, temptation by temptation basis, we do not have to choose to sin. We have the power of Christ living in us so that we can refuse to engage in sin. We have been set free. But we must choose to decline the temptation, and we must exercise our will to say “no”.