There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
—Romans 8:1-2 (KJV)
We can join the apostle Paul in thanking God for his grace and use the famous words of Dr. Martin Luther King, as he quoted the old spiritual song: "Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"
Becoming a Christian means we have been liberated from law-keeping as the basis of our salvation. We now have God living in us through the Holy Spirit, empowering us. The Spirit helps us to know God's will and then live it (1 Corinthians 2:10-13; Galatians 5:22-23). Through the Spirit's power, we can do what no law could make us do: live up to God's standards of righteousness by the power of the Spirit (Romans 8:1-4). We are set free from law-keeping - not just Old Testament Law, but any law (Galatians 3:21-22) - and empowered to be like Jesus, free from the crippling power of law, sin, shame, and death (2 Corinthians 3:17-18).
Gracious Father, thank you for all of your gifts to me. Today, I want to especially thank you for liberating me from law-keeping and empowering me with your Spirit to a higher standard: Christlikeness. Please, O God, fill and empower me today with your Spirit as I commit to live my life for you and follow the way of Jesus. In the name and by the authority of my LORD and Savior, I pray. Amen.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
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—Romans 8:1-2 (KJV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
We can join the apostle Paul in thanking God for his grace and use the famous words of Dr. Martin Luther King, as he quoted the old spiritual song: "Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"
Becoming a Christian means we have been liberated from law-keeping as the basis of our salvation. We now have God living in us through the Holy Spirit, empowering us. The Spirit helps us to know God's will and then live it (1 Corinthians 2:10-13; Galatians 5:22-23). Through the Spirit's power, we can do what no law could make us do: live up to God's standards of righteousness by the power of the Spirit (Romans 8:1-4). We are set free from law-keeping - not just Old Testament Law, but any law (Galatians 3:21-22) - and empowered to be like Jesus, free from the crippling power of law, sin, shame, and death (2 Corinthians 3:17-18).
My Prayer...
Gracious Father, thank you for all of your gifts to me. Today, I want to especially thank you for liberating me from law-keeping and empowering me with your Spirit to a higher standard: Christlikeness. Please, O God, fill and empower me today with your Spirit as I commit to live my life for you and follow the way of Jesus. In the name and by the authority of my LORD and Savior, I pray. Amen.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Continue reading...
