Verse
But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.
— Romans 7:6 NIV
Thought
We could not, and cannot, keep the law of God completely. Trying to be righteous when one failure, one transgression, one sin, makes us guilty ensures that we cannot be righteous through works of law-keeping. But, we have died to that basis of righteousness. We've died because we surrendered that way of trying to be declared righteous when we confessed Christ as Lord and were baptized into his death (Romans 6:3-5). This death — our death to ourselves and our baptism into Jesus' saving death — frees us from the law. The gift of the Holy Spirit gives us the presence of God within us which is the power to overcome sin, leads us in the way of righteousness, and ensures that we will be raised victoriously from the dead. Jesus' sacrifice is the pivot point of all human history, ensuring forgiveness when we are saved and ongoing forgiveness when we falter. The Holy Spirit is God's tuning fork that places us in tune with the will of God and then empowers us to live according to his will. We serve in the new way of the Spirit! While we still cherish and appreciate the will and the character of God revealed in the "old way of the written code," we rejoice that we are called to a higher standard and empowered to a holier living through the Spirit of God.
Prayer
Almighty God, thank you! Thank you more than I can adequately exclaim. Thank you for the gift of your Son, who died, was buried, and was raised in power to remove my sin and assure my victorious resurrection. Thank you for the gift of your Spirit, who leads and empowers me to discern and follow your will and conforms me to the character of your beloved Son. I yield my will to your gracious gifts so that you may have your way in my life. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Devotional provided by Heartlight®
© 1996-2017. All rights reserved.
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But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.
— Romans 7:6 NIV
Thought
We could not, and cannot, keep the law of God completely. Trying to be righteous when one failure, one transgression, one sin, makes us guilty ensures that we cannot be righteous through works of law-keeping. But, we have died to that basis of righteousness. We've died because we surrendered that way of trying to be declared righteous when we confessed Christ as Lord and were baptized into his death (Romans 6:3-5). This death — our death to ourselves and our baptism into Jesus' saving death — frees us from the law. The gift of the Holy Spirit gives us the presence of God within us which is the power to overcome sin, leads us in the way of righteousness, and ensures that we will be raised victoriously from the dead. Jesus' sacrifice is the pivot point of all human history, ensuring forgiveness when we are saved and ongoing forgiveness when we falter. The Holy Spirit is God's tuning fork that places us in tune with the will of God and then empowers us to live according to his will. We serve in the new way of the Spirit! While we still cherish and appreciate the will and the character of God revealed in the "old way of the written code," we rejoice that we are called to a higher standard and empowered to a holier living through the Spirit of God.
Prayer
Almighty God, thank you! Thank you more than I can adequately exclaim. Thank you for the gift of your Son, who died, was buried, and was raised in power to remove my sin and assure my victorious resurrection. Thank you for the gift of your Spirit, who leads and empowers me to discern and follow your will and conforms me to the character of your beloved Son. I yield my will to your gracious gifts so that you may have your way in my life. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Devotional provided by Heartlight®
© 1996-2017. All rights reserved.
