Romans 6:2 "God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?"
A born-again Christian is constitutionally unable to live in sin. This does not mean that we are perfect, or that we no longer sin. Rather is means we cannot, will not 'live' in sin, that is our manner of living and acting will not be characterized by sin.
For a Christian, sin should be a one-off mistake, not a way of life. If it has become a habit, it will be a miserable one. The Bible tells us that there is pleasure in sin, however it only lasts for a fleeting, vain second before the misery returns.
Once a Christian has experienced walking with Christ Jesus, nothing can compare. We may still try to meet a need here and there with sin instead of Christ, but it is quickly revealed to be merely a mirage of happiness that disappoints every single time. This will motivate a return to the One Who can satisfy.
Where am I living today? Is sin a way of life? A habit? Or a occasional hated mistake? Have I experienced walking closely with Christ? Write down how walking intimately with Jesus makes you feel and compare that to the aftermath of your feelings after the fleeting, meaningless 'pleasure' of sin has passed.
Monday, October 30, 2017
Friday, October 27, 2017
The Reign of Grace
Romans 5:21-22 "Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord."
Grace: "good will, loving-kindness, favour." The merciful kindness of God to us. This grace is what reigns.
When we think of reigning, we generally think of a king or monarch. As a reigning king, that person possesses complete control. The king is the highest authority.
For a long time, sin was that king, reigning with a terrible tyranny that ended in death. However, that king has been dethroned, cast off forever, conquered! A new king is sitting on that throne - Grace.
The reign of grace came through Jesus' righteousness. And its blessed reign leads to live eternal.
If I picture grace as a king, what would that look like practically in my life today?Do I feel like I am living under the reign of grace today?
Grace: "good will, loving-kindness, favour." The merciful kindness of God to us. This grace is what reigns.
When we think of reigning, we generally think of a king or monarch. As a reigning king, that person possesses complete control. The king is the highest authority.
For a long time, sin was that king, reigning with a terrible tyranny that ended in death. However, that king has been dethroned, cast off forever, conquered! A new king is sitting on that throne - Grace.
The reign of grace came through Jesus' righteousness. And its blessed reign leads to live eternal.
If I picture grace as a king, what would that look like practically in my life today?Do I feel like I am living under the reign of grace today?
Thursday, October 26, 2017
Adam's Sin
Romans 5:18-19 "Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous."
I have spent a fair bit of time trying to get the best understanding of this passage. At first read, it might seem unfair - Adam's one sin caused judgement to come upon all men. However, after reading it many times and much prayer, I can see it's not like that at all.
God created a world that was very good. There was but one law that man had to follow. Man broke that law, and as God warned, in that day, man died spiritually. Adam's action opened the door for sin to enter God's "very good" world. Now that sin is ever lurking, and man is ever failing.
Adam may have sinned, but why does that lead to my condemnation? The answer is - Adam's disobedience introduced sin into this world, yet it is our own sin that followed that condemns us. We know that there is nothing good in our flesh. Each human chooses sin as soon as they are able to make that choice. But praise God, that's not the end of the story. There is salvation in Jesus Christ.
I have spent a fair bit of time trying to get the best understanding of this passage. At first read, it might seem unfair - Adam's one sin caused judgement to come upon all men. However, after reading it many times and much prayer, I can see it's not like that at all.
God created a world that was very good. There was but one law that man had to follow. Man broke that law, and as God warned, in that day, man died spiritually. Adam's action opened the door for sin to enter God's "very good" world. Now that sin is ever lurking, and man is ever failing.
Adam may have sinned, but why does that lead to my condemnation? The answer is - Adam's disobedience introduced sin into this world, yet it is our own sin that followed that condemns us. We know that there is nothing good in our flesh. Each human chooses sin as soon as they are able to make that choice. But praise God, that's not the end of the story. There is salvation in Jesus Christ.
Friday, October 13, 2017
Yet Sinners
Romans 5:7-8 "For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
The word "sinners" here means: "devoted to sin...pre-eminently sinful, especially wicked." We weren't even close to being lovable. Sin was our defining characteristic. And we must understand what that truly means.
I think often we look at sin as something we do, we know we're not supposed to, but often it's "not that big of a deal." However, we must view it from God's perspective. He is perfectly righteous and holy. Even our good works are "as filthy rags" in comparison to His perfection. Sin is so repulsive, so disgusting to His holiness, that all it takes is one offense to condemn the unrepentant to Hell for eternity.
And it wasn't that we had sinned once. It was that we were "sinners". But even so, God's love is so great, so enormous, so fathomless, that He still commended ("show, prove, establish, exhibit") it to us in that especially wicked state.
What kind of love must that be to overcome our pitiful state. Do I view my sin with a heavenly perspective? Am I seeking to understand the raw power of God's love?
The word "sinners" here means: "devoted to sin...pre-eminently sinful, especially wicked." We weren't even close to being lovable. Sin was our defining characteristic. And we must understand what that truly means.
I think often we look at sin as something we do, we know we're not supposed to, but often it's "not that big of a deal." However, we must view it from God's perspective. He is perfectly righteous and holy. Even our good works are "as filthy rags" in comparison to His perfection. Sin is so repulsive, so disgusting to His holiness, that all it takes is one offense to condemn the unrepentant to Hell for eternity.
And it wasn't that we had sinned once. It was that we were "sinners". But even so, God's love is so great, so enormous, so fathomless, that He still commended ("show, prove, establish, exhibit") it to us in that especially wicked state.
What kind of love must that be to overcome our pitiful state. Do I view my sin with a heavenly perspective? Am I seeking to understand the raw power of God's love?
Thursday, October 12, 2017
It Starts With Love
Romans 5:3-5 "And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."
It's amazing how God designed the world. It all comes back to one thing - love.
Committed Christ followers are able to willingly suffer tribulations because of their understanding of God's love. Our love for God leads us to obey Him which, we know, often leads to the world hating us and thus persecution.
During that tribulation, we are to patiently endure with grace. This can only be done by understanding God's love for us and that because of this love we will become more like Him through patient suffering.
These times of patiently suffering create a history of experiencing God's love in a whole new way.
It's because of these experiences in our past, that we have hope in the future. Because we've seen God work in the past, we know what He is capable of in our future. This creates a stronger faith & and stronger love. This hope will not be disappointed, because now we know God's love in such an intimate, personal way.
It all starts with God's love being shed abroad in our heart through the Holy Spirit. Am I experiencing that today?
It's amazing how God designed the world. It all comes back to one thing - love.
Committed Christ followers are able to willingly suffer tribulations because of their understanding of God's love. Our love for God leads us to obey Him which, we know, often leads to the world hating us and thus persecution.
During that tribulation, we are to patiently endure with grace. This can only be done by understanding God's love for us and that because of this love we will become more like Him through patient suffering.
These times of patiently suffering create a history of experiencing God's love in a whole new way.
It's because of these experiences in our past, that we have hope in the future. Because we've seen God work in the past, we know what He is capable of in our future. This creates a stronger faith & and stronger love. This hope will not be disappointed, because now we know God's love in such an intimate, personal way.
It all starts with God's love being shed abroad in our heart through the Holy Spirit. Am I experiencing that today?
Tuesday, October 10, 2017
Therefore...We Have
Romans 5:1-2 "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God."
The transaction of salvation imparted so many things to us. It truly is a gift. But not just one single gift, it is many gifts that are eternal, that no one can take away.
Through salvation, we have been given justification, or in other words, we have been rendered righteous. We have been given peace, but not worldly peace that comes and goes, but real, lasting peace that goes deeper than our soul. We have been given access by our faith to a new standing. Where as before we stood in condemnation, now we stand in grace. This word "grace" has such deep meaning. The word here means: "good will, loving-kindness, favour: of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues."
And if all those things weren't enough, we have joy and hope.
You read down this list and you quickly realize that these things are exactly what everyone desires, they are exactly what this lost world, what every pitiful human heart longs for. It's all waiting for them in Christ if they will only turn to Him.
It's all waiting there for you. Am I accepting this unspeakable gift today?
The transaction of salvation imparted so many things to us. It truly is a gift. But not just one single gift, it is many gifts that are eternal, that no one can take away.
Through salvation, we have been given justification, or in other words, we have been rendered righteous. We have been given peace, but not worldly peace that comes and goes, but real, lasting peace that goes deeper than our soul. We have been given access by our faith to a new standing. Where as before we stood in condemnation, now we stand in grace. This word "grace" has such deep meaning. The word here means: "good will, loving-kindness, favour: of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues."
And if all those things weren't enough, we have joy and hope.
You read down this list and you quickly realize that these things are exactly what everyone desires, they are exactly what this lost world, what every pitiful human heart longs for. It's all waiting for them in Christ if they will only turn to Him.
It's all waiting there for you. Am I accepting this unspeakable gift today?
Monday, October 9, 2017
Faith That Glorifies
Romans 4:20 "He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;"
I would venture to guess this is not how we usually look at faith, as a way of glorifying God. Typically, we view the results of faith as a way to glorify God. However, a strong faith is a primary method of giving glory to God.
Faith says that we believe His Word, we trust His promise, we rest in our God Who can do the impossible. Faith is a message broadcast to the whole world - My God Will Do This. Our faith tells those around us what we think of God. And by contrast, a lack of faith tells them Who we think He is not.
What actions am I taking today that are based in faith? Is my faith one that is apparent, that the world can see and then glorify God? What does my faith say of my perception of Who God is?tT
I would venture to guess this is not how we usually look at faith, as a way of glorifying God. Typically, we view the results of faith as a way to glorify God. However, a strong faith is a primary method of giving glory to God.
Faith says that we believe His Word, we trust His promise, we rest in our God Who can do the impossible. Faith is a message broadcast to the whole world - My God Will Do This. Our faith tells those around us what we think of God. And by contrast, a lack of faith tells them Who we think He is not.
What actions am I taking today that are based in faith? Is my faith one that is apparent, that the world can see and then glorify God? What does my faith say of my perception of Who God is?tT
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