Tag: Romans 6:23
Set free!
Scripture reading for June 20: Romans 6
“What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and , having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.” Romans 6:15-18
Paul was ministering and teaching in the Roman culture where human slavery was part. Paul used the example of slavery to teach about the transformation of our souls from slavery to sin in our fallen state to slavery to righteousness when we repent and believe in Jesus Christ. Paul reasoned that we are slaves to the one we obey. If we are under ‘sin’ as our master, we choose to obey our appetites and partake of whatever they demand. The ‘wages’ of sin is death and eternal separation from God and His mercy. But if we repent of this slavery to sin, and choose to cast ourselves on the mercy of God in Jesus Christ, we are given grace and forgiveness of those sins. The reward of repentance and obedience to Jesus is eternal life. (Romans 6:23)
Some were saying, that since grace was freely available, those who obtained grace should be free to go on sinning so that God could offer more grace. (Romans 6:1-2) “By no means” was Paul’s reply to these who were justifying their disobedience because of grace. When we have been set free from sin, we ‘die’ to our old slave nature and we now choose to become “slaves of righteousness” and live by the power of the Spirit in obedience to God’s Word. Whom the Son sets free, is free indeed to live in righteousness!
Have you ever realized that you were in slavery to sin in some aspect of your life? What form did this slavery take? Have you been set free from the slavery to sin? How did this freedom affect your daily life and world view?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the Good News of Jesus Christ and the freedom from slavery to sin found in Him. I joyfully choose to give myself fully to love and serve Jesus and obey His Spirit leading me to obedience of God’s Word. I pray daily to be used to share this message of freedom with others. Amen.
Sunday rest–Spirit outpouring!
Dear Friends,
Another day of rest begins to remind us of the finished work of our Savior, Jesus Christ! We can truly rest from any effort on our part to try and save ourselves. We can put away religion, sacrifices, penance, and extravagant offerings as possible ways of paying God back or purchasing freedom. The debt of sin is canceled! Simply asking Him in faith for mercy has brought the remedy as a gift! (Romans 6:23) Putting our trust in Jesus Christ is sufficient and it is finished! (Romans 10:9-10) What a blessing!
As I reflect back on this week’s reading, the book of Joel comes easily to mind. We had one day to read this and reflect on it and it is so rich in revelation and truth. God’s desire has been to bless His people and make them a blessing to the entire world. He would do this by living in their midst and placing a covering of His glory over them. He would provide for them and be their source of real food and living water. He would clothe them in the finest of garments and they would reside in the land of milk and honey. He would drive out all of their enemies and His presence would mark them as His chosen people.
However, sin had so devastated mankind and God’s people, that they lived far below their God-given potential. His people lost His glory in their midst and fell into idolatry, under the curse brought on by their sins. The locust plague of Joel’s day was used as a type of the coming ‘day of the Lord’. The remedy for this plague was found in rending of hearts, not clothes. Broken hearts make good vessels for God to pour His Spirit into! The Holy Spirit heals and binds up wounds. He brings the Word of God to our inner man and faith arises to live in victory! Signs and wonders begin to follow the preaching and living of God’s Word. Prophesy flows from the presence of the Holy Spirit. We see the plans and purposes of God and are able to take faith-actions that save us and those around us.
We desperately need an outpouring of God’s Spirit on our church and land! Consider this book of Joel and let the Spirit prompt you to take the proper actions. Ask for an outpouring into hearts prepared by brokenness! God is faithful! In His Love, Pastor John