1 Samuel 21-22
Psalm 50
Romans 6
-Devotion by Sarah Johnson (MN)
I am excited to be back with you all again this year! We will be focused primarily on our Romans passages this week, but will pop back and forth between our others as well. Be sure to take time to continue to read the story of David, and enjoy the Psalms!
In Romans 5, we read about the abundance of grace God offers to us through the death of Jesus. Paul begins chapter 6 assuming the rigid Romans would now be attempting to “logically justify” their own fleshly desires, to which Paul gives them NO opportunity to misinterpret his message. In verses 1 and 15 Paul calls out “By NO means” are we to continue to live in our sinful nature! We are set free from whatever struggles we may face, and instead bound to a loving, faithful, and holy God that promises us an everlasting life with Him when we become slaves to righteousness.
What’s more remarkable is that this ‘slavery to God’ does not fit the typical role of slavery. Slaves offered something to their masters – labor resulting in some profit. Their sacrifices brought about something of value and worth to their masters. In case you forgot, God needs no laborers. He needs no profit. There is nothing we could ever do that would give something to God He could not get Himself. There is no sacrifice we could offer that would bring more value or worth (see Psalms 50) to us in His eyes. AND YET, we are called to offer every part of ourselves as instruments of righteousness (v. 13). Why? Because we know the wages of sin is death, and we have been given a gift of eternal life (v.23) when we submit ourselves to the One who created us.
This simple truth of the gospel so easily loses its grandeur. Pause a moment here and reflect on this:
You are no longer bound to sin that leads to death.
You are free to accept the gift of eternal life.
Jesus Christ has indeed died to sin once for all, so we may reap the benefits of eternal life.
You are under God’s grace.
You too, may live a new life, my friend.
Reflection Questions:
- Is there a sin in your life you are allowing to hold you captive? Confess it now, and experience freedom.
- What practical way can you offer every part of yourself to God today?
Prayer:
Dear Father,
Thank you for being a great God and master who gives the incredible gift of grace through Your son Jesus. Thank you for making a way out so I no longer need to be a slave to sin. Help me walk in newness of life now and eternal life in Your Coming Kingdom.
Seek Grow Love 