Questions

1 Cor. 6: 20

For you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

 

So many leading questions in this chapter. First there is the area of grievances against one another. Does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of saints? Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases?...So if you have such cases, why do you lay them before those who have no standing in the church? What is the answer to all these questions? Paul attests to the fact that he says all this to shame them. Surely there is someone wise enough among the believers to settle disputes, but brother goes against brother, and that before unbelievers? What a shame! How can it be judged by an unbeliever? Their entire frame of reference, reason for living, and final outcome is totally different. It is bad enough that believers have lawsuits against each other. Paul urges them to be merciful to each other. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded? But these believers were wrapped up in the wrong, in defrauding their own brothers instead of allowing love to cover the multitudes of sins.

 

Then Paul goes on to say, Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? He urges them to wake up and remember that sexually immoral, idolaters, adulterers, homosexuals, thieves, greedy, drunkards, and revilers will not inherit the kingdom of God. It is like the Corinthians were living their Christian lives just like they did before they were saved. But instead know this: You were washed, sanctified, and  justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. How glorious is that! Christians can rise above the flesh and the fleshly behaviors and live in the name of Jesus and by His Spirit.

 

Then Paul addresses the idea of food and sexual immorality. Paul urges them to guard themselves so that they are not enslaved to anything whether food or even immorality. Our bodies are the Lord's and the Lord is for our bodies. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? Likewise he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him. For that reason believers are to flee from sexual immorality. When a believer commits sexual immorality, he is sinning against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? The conclusion of the matter is simply stated: You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. All the rhetorical questions should lead the believers to this one biblical principle. I am no longer in charge of myself (if I ever was), instead I am His bought and purchased at the cost of His life. Why would I want to dirty His sacrifice by indulging my flesh?

 

Father,

Thank You for sending Your son who bought me and made me clean, for making me one with Jesus and Your Spirit. Open my eyes to the ramifications of these questions and what it truly means to have my body be Your temple.

In Jesus name,

Amen



Christ, the Passover Lamb

1 Cor. 5:7-8

Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

 

Leaven or fermented dough [of which a little is saved and added to the next week's dough] should be cleansed from the life. Once Jesus saved me, He has made me over anew. It is not reformation where I  would be learning to live with the dough by not allowing it to control my life or exercise its destructive power. Christ did not come to bring reformation. He came to bring transformation. He has transferred me from the domain of darkness into the kingdom of the beloved Son. In this kingdom there is no leaven! He has defeated sin and death and removed my bondage to sin and death.

 

Positionally all this is true. I am covered completely by the blood of Christ so that when God looks at me He sees the righteousness of Christ. However, until He calls me home to receive my glorified body, I am in a battle. Even though my bondage to sin has been removed, I can still fall prey to it. I can still harbor leaven, and it can defeat me spiritually. Paul says clearly that I should cleanse myself constantly because Christ the Lamb sacrificed Himself that I might be free. If I harbor sin [leaven], I am discounting the sacrifice of the Lamb. It would be the most ungrateful attitude that I could have! How horrible!  How could I chose sin instead of Christ's victory? He calls me to celebrate my new life with unleavened bread, the bread of sincerity and truth. Christ is the way, the Truth, and the Life. He dwells within me. Therefore my life must be drastically changed, cleansed, and empowered by His Spirit.

 

Father,

Change my heart so that I find sin [leaven] abhorrent. Thank You for the Lamb who died for me so that I could live through Him. Give me Your grace and strength. Open my eyes to see my heart and its motives. .

In the name of the Lamb,

Amen



Not Talk but Power

1 Cor. 4:20

For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power.

 

How should the Christian life appear? Should Christians be seeking the world's riches and power? Apparently, the Corinthian believers were doing just that. Paul responded to them by saying that when the Lord comes, all will be made known, things, motives, and thoughts hidden in darkness. The Lord Himself will commend those who are His. 

 

In a bit of  irony, Paul declares that they are rich kings, having all that they want. But do they really? Is this what God would have them do? Paul says that an apostle is the least of all, like men sentenced to death because they have become a spectacle to all. He is a fool for Christ's sake yet the Corinthians claim wisdom in Christ. He is weak, but they are strong. They were held in honor, but he was in disrepute. Thus far, he had suffered hunger and thirst, was poorly dressed, buffeted, and homeless, was laboring with his own hands, when reviled, he blessed, when persecuted, he endured, when slandered, he entreated. He had become like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things. Quite the contrast! How did this comparison strike their hearts? Was their lifestyle revealed? Did they see his point? How tempting it is to buy into the world's system, its mind-set, possessions, and power! But Christ will not co-exist with the world. Each life must be entirely His or not at all His. Paul wrote these powerful words to admonish them like a father talking to beloved children. Just like all children imitate their parents, Paul encourages them to imitate him in their Christian lives. He wants them to know that the kingdom of God is not just talk but is power. He wants to to live for Christ 100% of the time relinquishing all for the gospel.

 

Father,

Grow me like this. Help me to see clearly the world's influence in my life.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Solid Food

1 Cor. 3:16-17

Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple.

 

Paul begins 1 Cor. 3 with a stern rebuke saying that the body of believers at Corinth were still people of the flesh, infants in Christ. How sad! [No doubt this rebuke is for all Christians. Am I an infant in Christ desiring only milk, or am I a spiritual person who desires the solid food of the word? ] This group of believers were ripped apart with jealousy and strife over who to follow. Paul or Apollos? Paul taught them that no matter what you do, whether you plant the seed or water the seed, only God gives the increase. All believers are God's fellow workers. Each one is God's field, God's building. It is nothing of human choice or strength.

 

Paul ministered to all followers according to the grace of God. He laid the foundation of Jesus Christ [A foundation that is not an option!]. It is either Christ or nothing! From the foundation of Christ, each person then builds. But we must take care how we build: gold, silver, precious stones, or hay, wood, and stubble. The day will disclose it all revealing it by fire. Obviously, only the gold, silver, and precious stones will endure. All the rest will be gone. If what the believer has built survives,  he will have a reward. If not, the believer will suffer loss even though he will be saved. How tragic is this! A believer could be saved and have lived his or her life in the flesh without relying on the grace of God at all.

 

It reminds me of Moses when he didn't uphold God as holy before the Israelite nation[ hitting the rock twice]. He was not justified in any way, shape, or form in his disobedience even though the Israelites were rebellious, still-necked, and grumblers. Moses could only look at the promised land, but not go into the promised land. I am sure he was suffering a huge loss!

 

Believers must always keep in mind that they are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells within them. Since God's temple is holy, all believers must live accordingly. This is the point! Believers must live who they really are! They are no longer of the world, but of Christ. Their lifestyle must reflect this! We are Christ's, and Christ is God's. 

 

 

Father,

I so want to walk in Your way, to build upon Christ, and to eat the solid food of Your word. Continue to grow me and teach me. Help my mind so that I retain Your word.

In Jesus name,

Amen

 



Breaking Faith

Deut. 32:51

...because you broke faith with me in the midst of the people of Israel at the waters of Meribah-kadish, in the wilderness of Zin, and because you did not treat me as holy in the midst of the people of Israel.

 

This passage has always spoken to me. What does it really mean to break faith? What had Moses done? As the leader of the Israelites, he had had to deal constantly with grumbling, rebellion, and idolatry. He was constantly interceding for this stiff-necked people begging God not to destroy them. On a previous occasion, Moses had been told to strike the rock to produce water, but this time he was to speak to the rock. Why did he strike the rock twice? What happened?

 

Moses' exact words were, "Hear now, you rebels: shall we bring water for you out of this rock?" Obviously, their rebellion has reached the boiling point in Moses. He struck the rock twice and water did come out for the people and their livestock. The result was the same. Water was produced, but the method was entirely wrong. Disobedience even with the right result is still sin! God spoke to Moses saying, because you did not believe in Me, to uphold me as holy in the eyes of the people of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them. I can only imagine the heart of Moses. How revealing and horrifying! His sin had kept him from the promised land, the goal and end point of this entire journey.

 

I have often thought that Moses' punishment was harsh. In human terms, what he did was so small in comparison to what the Israelites did. Yet that was not the issue. As the leader, Moses had a greater responsibility and accountability. He had spent time alone with God and was God's emissary, God's spokesman to the people. What Moses said and did was directly reflective of God! As a result, Moses could only see the promised land from the mountain top where he was to die and be buried. How sad that a single moment robbed him of the promised land. Certainly, this incident is a huge warning to me. I must never break faith with God! I am so thankful that I live in grace. My actions, thoughts, and emotions are covered in the blood of Jesus.

 

Father,

I am so thankful for Your grace. Teach me and grow me so that my faith remains strong and true. Reveal to me Your words so that I might speak in obedience to You. Grant me to walk worthy of my calling from You.

In Jesus name,

Amen

 



God Is Faithful

1 C or. 1:5-9

...that in every way you were enriched in Him in all speech and all knowledge--even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you--so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift, as you wait for the revealing of our lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.

 

What a glorious provision! We are chosen and predestined to be God's children, to be adopted as sons and daughters, and to be joint heirs with Christ. As if that were not enough, We are enriched in Him, not in ourselves, not because of our gifts or talents, but because of Jesus Christ. He has enriched us in speech and knowledge. He puts in our heads what needs to come out of our mouths! [Thank heaven, I did not have to come up with what would be glorifying to God!] In addition, because of Him, we are not lacking in any spiritual gift. Not only has Christ given us what should be in our heads, what should come out of our mouths, but He has also given us every gift that we might need in doing His will. Because of Jesus, we are sustained and guiltless at the day when He comes back for His own. What an unbelievable blessing! What can we say in response? God is faithful! His faithfulness called us into the fellowship of His Son where our lives our flooded with all of these great blessings!

 

Father,

Thank You for calling me, for saving and sanctifying me, for justifying and glorifying me, for putting me in the fellowship of Your Son, and for blessing me in untold ways because I am in Christ and He is in Me.

In Christ,

Amen



Wise and Innocent

Rom. 16:19

For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil.

 

Paul is giving final instructions to the many people that have ministered alongside him. In conclusion, he tells them to watch out for those who cause divisions. Such people as these are out for their own appetites. By using smooth talk and flattery, they deceive the hearts of those who know no better.  Even though their obedience is known to all [wouldn't that be a wonderful thing! What a reputation!], they still have to be on guard. He wants them to be wise to what is good but innocent to what is evil. They don't have to partake of evil to know that it is evil. They only have to see that it is not good. Once evil has come into the life, it is so difficult to remove it. So don't allow it in your life at all. Instead just dwell and flourish in God's good, the good word, the good Savior, the good Spirit, and the good God.

 

Father,

I see this great truth, and yet at the same time I see the power of the temptation to evil. Keep me wise to Your good and completely free of anything evil. Grow me in Your good.

In Jesus name,

Amen 

Prayer

Ps. 69:13

But as for me, my prayer is to you, O Lord. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of Your steadfast love answer me in Your saving faithfulness.

 

What a great way to pray! Answer me for Your steadfast love is good; according to Your abundant mercy, turn to me. Many times I have had a specific request or have been asked to pray specifically for a fellow Christian and was unsure exactly how to do that and still stay in the will of God. These verses seem to be exactly what I need. I can bring my request whatever it is specifically, but always I must acknowledge and desire His acceptable time. It is through His steadfast love, faithfulness, and mercy that He answers all prayer. In fact it is because of His love, faithfulness, and mercy that I can count His promises always true. If I don't see the answer that I want, then I know it is not His acceptable time. What peace and rest praying like this brings!

 

Father,

Thank You so much for Your love, faithfulness, and mercy. They always abound unceasingly. Teach me to rest in Your acceptable time. Teach me to have peace knowing that Your plan must be in Your time.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Judgment and Deference

Rom. 14:7-9

For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.

 

Rom. 14 answers all the questions about judging fellow Christians. If there are differences in life style [and here specifically food and drink], the first and foremost concern is Christ. Are we willing to destroy the work of God for food or for drink? No, of course not. If it causes my brother or sister to stumble, then I need to think of him or her before myself. Who are we to pass judgment on other believers? All actions, choices, thoughts, and attitudes are brought before the Lord, the righteous judge. Our concern is building one another up in the body of Christ. For none of us live to ourselves, although sadly many times we do because the world has tainted us with its life view and with its selfish attitudes. We are in pursuit of all that we can get. I must ask myself, Is Jesus my assistant or my leader, my Lord, my all?

 

The conclusion of the matter is let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.  That is the life that Jesus has called us to, a life of service and sharing grace with those that God puts in our path. Why is it so hard to give up our freedom? Why do we struggle so over inconsequential things? Isn't Jesus' love better than all of those things? For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of  righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. Righteousness, peace, and joy should be what I seek. And all of these things come only from a intimate relationship with Jesus not from running after the world, and certainly not from judging our fellow believers. We have to remember that our life only has meaning in Jesus.

 

Father,

My heart is stirred this morning. I confess I have sinned so much with irritability and impatience. Cleanse me. Grow my heart in Your love.

Through Jesus,

Amen

Put On Jesus Christ

Rom. 13:14

But put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provisions for the flesh.

 

Rom. 13:8 begins a vital passage concerning the believer's debt of love. Owe no one anything, except to love one another. This debt is essential because love is the key to the Christian walk. Paul goes on to explain that loving others fulfills all the law. A person who loves others will not commit adultery, murder, or theft. He will not covet. But if you love your neighbor as yourself, you will do no wrong. It is this fact that is the fulfilling of the law. Sounds simple! All I have to do is love others! Oh my, that is so hard! Loving others means giving up self. I am pretty sure that in my own strength I cannot successfully live like this.

 

Paul's second point supporting our love for others is that the time is drawing near, the time for Christ to come back and call His chosen ones to Himself. Paul says to cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. In fact, put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provisions for the flesh. It is only by putting on Jesus Christ that I can love others. In my flesh I will always defer to myself. My needs and desires will trump other's needs and desires. Without Jesus my love would be circumstantial and short-lived. But with Jesus I can be a new person.

 

Father,

Reveal to me the works of my flesh and fill me with Your Spirit that I might put on Jesus Christ. Help me to love others. Transform my perception and my priorities.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Understanding

Rom. 11:33

Oh the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and how inscrutable His ways!

 

So many things I don't understand! Take my salvation. First I am chosen, predestined, elected, and called to receive salvation through grace and faith. And all this regardless of my human merit! Then His grace is my sufficiency. In my head I know what that means, but how do I appropriate grace. I know I must walk in it so that I have no grounds for boasting and so that all my boasting is only in Christ. Also, there is the word of God. It looks like a book, but it is not! It is living and active, so much so that it can expose everything about me to the eyes of God. And what about 'Christ in me'? How hard is that to understand? What about the indwelling Holy Spirit and my body being the temple of God? Hard, hard, hard! Perhaps that is on purpose. What I don't really understand, the concept and its outworking, must be taken on faith. I, like Paul, agree when he says the depth of the riches, wisdom, and knowledge of God are unsearchable and inscrutable. For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been His counselor? Or who has given a gift to Him that He might be repaid? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever.

 

Father,

So many things that I don't understand, but I will trust You. I know that it is impossible to repay You even though my flesh cries out to do just that. Teach me how to walk in Your grace by the power of Your Spirit and through the work of Your Son. Grant me to walk worthy of the calling to which I have been called. Praise be to You and glory forever!

In Jesus name,

Amen

 





Greatly Shaken

Ps. 62

 

What a beautiful psalm! One that has been sung and has many times lifted my heart in worship!

 

For God alone my soul waits in silence; from Him comes my salvation. He only is m y rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.

 

I see the psalm says greatly shaken while the song deletes greatly. I think it makes a huge difference. At times in my life I have sung this song when I truly felt shaken and considered myself in sin. Even though I was shaken, I know I was always His. Perhaps that is the difference. I was shaken but not greatly shaken, not shaken to the degree that I was separated from Him. Praise God for a salvation such as this!

 

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation,  my fortress, I shall not be shaken. On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God.

 

Then just a few verses later the psalmist repeats his plea and his declaration. Perhaps his shaking has made him evaluate his heart and soul. He needs to restate what he knows to be true about God so he won't loose sight of the One who is his Savior. How hard it is to wait in silence when it looks like  the world is out-of-control, when an enemy is knocking at the door, or when fear appears with its grasping control. Yes, I need to cling to what is true about God, to rest in this truth, and to banish my flesh.

 

Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us...Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this; that power belongs to God, and that to You, O Lord, belongs steadfast love, for You will render to a man according to his work.

 

The psalmist concludes his thoughts saying that trust is necessary even in the scariest of times, even when the enemy is close enough to hear him breathe. Instead of fear, pout out your heart to God. Cry out to the One who has control of all things, the One whom nothing takes Him by surprise. David knows that all power and steadfast love belong to God. Yet he wants to see this power over his enemy now, but that is not the way it always is. Vengeance belongs to God! He will render and reward each man according to His work. Even if we don't see this rendering, God calls for ultimate trust in all circumstances.

 

Father,

I have been in those times where the shaking was hard, but I know You were always there. I see that this shaking and suffering was to build my trust in You. Continue! Keep molding me to the image of Your Son.

In His name,

Amen

 



Potter and the Clay

Rom. 9: 20

But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, why have you made me like this?

 

What a powerful question? How many times do my actions fall into this category? Do I question or try and change something in my life? But the following question explains this concept in greater detail. Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use? Certainly He made me and He must have the ultimate control. I must view each detail of my life as crafted by the divine potter, as made for the purpose that He planned. No questions! No what if's! No envy! God has patiently endured vessels made for wrath so that His power would be revealed. In order that He might make known the riches of His glory that He prepared beforehand for those whom He has chosen.

 

This passage reminds me of 2 Cor. 4:7-12. But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;
always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. All of my life, the afflictions, the persecution. the perplexing situations and thoughts, and the disappointments that tear me down to nearly nothing, are to make me dependent on Him, on His grace, and to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to me. What a great God who turns the negative into the positive! He has structured my life so that I am conforming to the image of His Son, to Jesus Christ.

 

Father,

I want to thank You for the suffering and the trials that You have placed in my life. I want my life to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to me. Grow me into the image of Your Son.

In His name,

Amen

 

Mercy and Compassion

Rom. 9:9-14

 

What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God's part? By no means! For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, "For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth." So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.

 

It is amazing to me how much the principle that, if I work hard, I deserve something, changes my perception of things. For instance, if I work especially hard in the work place, then I should get a bonus. If I accomplish a big task in the home, then I should have dinner out, or if I haven't been out for a night on the town in a long while, I should go out. As the ad said, 'You deserve a break today.' But do I really? This principle may be functional in the world, but it just doesn't work with God. In God's economy, His relationships with humans are not deserved in any way, shape, or form. He gives mercy and compassions to whom He wills according to His overriding purpose regardless of man's plan. All of human life is for God to show His power in us that His name might be proclaimed. Human will and exertion is not even in the mix. His saving anyone is through grace by faith, and that faith is a gift from God  so that man may not boast in anything.

 

Father,

My heart is so full of thankfulness to You for showing me mercy and compassions. I am Yours. I am no longer my own. Helps me to proclaim your name wherever You open the door.

In Jesus name,
Amen

Precious Promises

Rom. 8:31

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

 

Wow! What a glorious promise! With God, I am in the right corner. I am in the place of complete peace because I am resting in the One who set in motion all of life. With God there is no fear only peace and rest. His promises are like no other! They are always true and life changing! In our culture where a person's word is not reliable, it is so wonderful to find promises that can be counted on. In fact, God's promises find their yes in Him because He must be like His character. He is perfect in all ways so He must keep His word.

For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.2 Cor. 1:20

 

by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 2 Pet. 1:4

 

Yes, it is through the promises of God that I am a partaker of the divine nature. And as a partaker of this nature, I have even more promises. The believer's life is amazing because it is based on the One who never breaks a promises.

 

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.    Rom. 8: 27-28

 

What a blessing is that! The Spirit indwells my life to keep me completely centered in the will of God. And at the end of Chapter 8, I find that there is no separation from God, no fear of being lost or disconnected. Whatever God has for me, He will be with me constantly!

 

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,
nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Rom. 8:37-39

 

How blessed am I!

 

Father,

This morning as I think on Your promises, I realize again how glorious You are. Thank You for being the faithful God that You are. Thank You for the interceding Spirit. Teach me to walk as Your servant and Your child. Send Your grace to help cling to Your promises throughout each day.

In Jesus name,

Amen

 

 



 

 

 



Sons and Heirs

Rom. 8:14

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

 

Rom. 8 is such a chapter of blessing! It begins with the bold statement that there is no condemnation for those who are in Jesus. What a blessing is this! When God sent His Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, He condemned sinful flesh and paid the debt of sin by sacrificing His own body and blood. He satisfied the requirement of the law. Because Jesus is mine, I no longer walk by the flesh but by the Spirit. The flesh brings only death and is hostile toward God, but the Spirit brings life and peace. If the Spirit of God dwells in me, His righteousness becomes mine. Wow!

 

So then, since the Spirit of God dwells in me, I will and must put to death the works of the flesh. They belong to my old nature. I no longer live by my flesh but by the Spirit who indwells me and leads me in the way that I should go. As a result, I am a daughter of God, a daughter who has been adopted and by whom I can now cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit bears witness with me that this is indeed true! Just think, a child of God and an fellow heir with Jesus. However there is a caveat at the end of v. 17. provided I suffer with Him in order that I may also be glorified with Him. Suffering is an integral part of this relationship. A true daughter and heir will suffer because that is following in the footsteps of Jesus.

 

Father,

Thank You for opening the door for me to come into Your presence and for sending Jesus to open that door. I know that Your Spirit indwells me, but sadly, I don't always hear His voice. Open my ears. Grant me to walk worthy of Your calling in listening and in doing.

In Jesus name,

Amen

The Battle

Rom. 7:24

Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?

 

Paul has developed a thought line that is so crucial to the life of every believer. The commandment [law] was made so that unbridled sin would be revealed. Even though the law did that, it in itself did not produce the sin, it only revealed that sin, sin that is resident in every person's life. Since the law is spiritual, there is no way that man in the flesh can obey it. It will always reveal the sin that is at the core of every person. So essentially it is sin living within me. It is part and parcel of my flesh. Even though I want to do good, I cannot win the battle against sin and death.

 

Sadly, even though I delight in the law of  God, sin always lies close at hand. It is inextricably part of my flesh. Because of this, I am the wretched man! But thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord. He, by His death and resurrection, made it possible for my nature to be transformed. But until Jesus calls me home, I will always have this battle  The wonderful thing is that now I don't have to lose! Through Christ, I can be victorious! His grace and strength are my mainstay. But when I rely on myself, I will fall prey to my sinful flesh. When I will give my flesh the slightest edge, it will grab me and send me down a sinful path. His grace is my sufficiency. His power is perfected in my weakness.

So for now I will groan inwardly, as I eagerly await my adoption as His daughter.

 

Father,

Thank You for Your great grace. Keep my heart ever focused on it. Grow me strong and steady for You.

In the name of the One who made my life possible,

Amen

Belonging

Rom. 7:4

Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to Him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God.

 

Just as a person is released from the law when he dies so also I have died and am released from the confines of the written code. It is no longer a matter of rules and sacrifices, but it is an entire new identity. I am In Christ at the moment that grace has come into my heart to produce faith, a believing faith. I now belong to another, to Jesus Christ. What is the purpose of my belonging to Jesus? In order that I may bear fruit for God. Before salvation all my works were of the flesh and only brought sin and death, but now in my new identity, I serve in the new way of the Spirit. My heart follows the lead of Jesus, the Savior, and the Spirit who indwells me. My life must be one of fruit-bearing and pleasing Jesus through the Spirit and bringing glory to God.

 

Father,

What a gracious act! Thank You for saving me and loving me even when I was deep in sin and headed only for death. You have called me and saved me to bring forth fruit for You. Spirit, grow me in this fruit bearing so that I might be pleasing to God.

In Jesus name,

Amen