Day 320

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Jesus Righteousness and Justice for Believers!

Scripture

November 15—Romans 6-8: Righteousness of God Applied

Observation

If the believer in Jesus is declared righteous by God and stands in God's grace, should he be concerned about the continued expressions of his old sinful lifestyle? Absolutely! The believer who has been identified with Jesus Christ in his death, burial and resurrection is set free from his bondage to sin. He is free to serve a new Master, to appropriate the power of the life-giving Spirit to enable him to live a life characterized by hope, holiness, and victory over circumstances.

After completing today's reading, you should be able to answer the following questions:
  • Shall we keep on sinning so that God can keep on showing us more and more kindness and forgiveness? (6:1)
  • Under God's favor and mercy . . . [can we] go ahead and sin and not worry about it? (6:14-15)
  • Are these laws of God evil? (7:7)
  • Who will free me from my slavery to this deadly lower nature? (7:24)
  • If God is on our side, who can ever be against us? (8:31)
  • Who then can ever keep Christ's love from us? (8:35)

Application

When you were a child, did you ever try to pick up a box that was much too heavy for you to lift? Try as you might, you could only raise one side an inch or two off the floor. But you were powerless to lift the entire burden, much less move it from one place to another. Then, just as you were about to abandon the project in frustration, along came an adult to help you. He reached down, picked up both you and the box, and together you "carried" the box with ease!

Now think of the above example as a "Parable of Paul's Dilemma . . . and Yours" (7:19-25). What is the "box"? What is the "frustration"? Who is the One who helps? What should your response be toward him today? Talk to him about it right now. 

Prayer

Father God, we don't want to be an easy target for the enemy and our sinful nature. We are your people who form around you to establish your Kingdom on earth with the aim to destroy the sovereignty of Satan. So as Christians we are dependent on our prayers to you because without prayers we are an easy prey for our spiritual enemies trying to keep us from our potential for Holiness. Help us to be self-controlled and alert, and to always come to you in prayer, for you renew our strength each and every day. Thank you in Jesus' name! Amen! 

Walking in Holiness!




© Odessa Mathis about my Father's business! 2020

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