Scripture

For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption.

Observation

To live according to the flesh (the unredeemed human nature) is to die, but to walk by the grace of the Holy Spirit is to live for ever.

If you are led by the Holy Spirit you are a child of God. If you are a child of God, you are a joint heir with Christ to all the glory that He owns.

At the moment we may go through various trials and sufferings, but they are nothing compared to the glory that awaits us. The whole of creation is groaning in anticipation of the revelation of this glory.

Application

This passage is about the future glory that lies ahead of us. We can be overwhelmed, discouraged, and burdened by the trials of this world, but they are nothing compared to what is waiting for us.

The Holy Spirit prompts us to call out to God as Father. This reminds us that we belong to Christ and therefore we will inherit everything with Him. All that the Father has is waiting to be shared with us.

One day this world will pass away and we will see a new creation together with its Creator whom we will see face to face.

If we stand firm in Christ to the end we will receive His commendation “Well done!”

Prayer

Lord may I walk in your will today regardless of what the world throws at me. Amen.

Scripture

I have discovered this principle of life- that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong.

Observation
Paul here is describing the struggle of a life without Christ. We know that God’s Law is right and we want to obey it, but even when we want to do what is good, we end up doing what is wrong.
It is as if sin is an independent force in our lives that fights against our minds, making us a slave to sin.
Is there an answer to this? Yes! Jesus Christ sets us free from a life dominated by sin and death.

Application
Although Paul is describing the dilemma of non-christians trying to live good lives, it also applies to christians. To the extent that I try to live the christian life on my own strength, I allow sin to continue to have its reign over me. There is no goodness in me that will defeat sin.
The answer is to give up the battle. Stop fighting sin- you will never win. Instead surrender entirely to Christ. Let Him kill you before sin does.
When christians continue to battle sin in one area, it’s a sign that they have not yielded that area to Christ. The answer is to let Christ have control of every part of my life.

Prayer
Thank you Jesus that you have the victory over every sin. You alone can set me free from slavery to sin. Show me how to surrender entirely to you. Amen.

Scripture

No longer present your members to sin as instruments of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and present your members to God as instruments of righteousness.

Observation
We have died in Christ and therefore sin no longer has dominion. We must not make our bodies instruments of sin.
We were once slaves of sin, but in Christ we are now slaves to righteousness. When we were slaves to sin, there was no advantage or benefit, but now we are slaves to righteousness we gain holiness.
Sin pays its wages in the form of death, but God’s free gift in Christ is eternal life.

Application
We have freedom in Christ to sin or not sin. Previously we had no choice at all, but now we have the grace to live holy lives.
Sin holds its false rewards. It tantalises us to draw us in. But the real payment with sin is death and separation from God.
Why would we choose sin when there is so much to lose? Knowing that we have the choice and the help of the Holy Spirit to choose life makes it possible to escape sin’s clutches.

Prayer
Father you know the sins that continue to entangle me. Please give me the grace to break free and to walk in your righteousness. Amen.

Scripture

If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in you.

Observation

If we set our minds on the things of the flesh we will die, but if we set our minds on the things of the Spirit we will have life. We are no longer in the flesh because the Spirit of God dwells in us.

If the Spirit of the one who raised Christ from the dead dwells in us, then we too will be raised to eternal life.

Application

To set our minds on Christ and on the ways of God means that we are consistently orienting our hearts to eternal life. When we get caught up in the sinful ways of the flesh and of the world then we are desiring the things that will lead to death.

The test for anyone who claims to be following Christ is where do our desires come from? Am I wanting to let every part of my life be surrendered to Christ? Or do I want to hold parts of my life for my own pleasure?

The choice is the choice between life and death.

Prayer

Lord please help me to give everything to you you, to direct my heart and mind to the things of the Spirit rather than the flesh. Amen.

Scripture

Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Observation

Our faith in Christ makes us right with God, and Christ brings us peace with God- reconciliation with the Father.

Because of the grace of God, we can boast about our hope of glory- it is all gift. But we also boast about our suffering which produces endurance, character and hope.

While we were weak, that was when Christ died for us. God’s immense love for us is shown in the fact that Christ died for us while we were still sinners.

We are reconciled to God through the death of His Son while we were still sinners. We can therefore be sure of our salvation.

Application

My salvation does not depend on my being holy or on my deeds. It’s not about me being good enough. It’s about Christ being good enough to bring rebels like me back to relationship with God.

Christ was crucified long before I knew about it. When He called out from the cross, “Father forgive them,” I was included in that prayer.

Peace with God is not something we achieve, but a free gift from an awesome, loving God.

Prayer

Thank you Father for your great love. Thank you that you love me even when I stray from you. Amen.

Scripture

He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.

Observation

Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness. When we work for something, our wages are not a gift. But If we trust God for our salvation, this is a gift.

Although this gift of salvation was given to the Jews first (“the circumcised”), it was not for them alone because Abraham received righteousness, and that was before he was circumcised.

The promise of righteousness comes by grace, and we receive it through faith in the Lord Jesus.

Application

It is impossible for us to win God’s approval by our own efforts, whether by good deeds or charitable giving or religious duties. These things do not impress God at all, because they are what is expected of us any way.

God’s favour comes to us because He chooses to give it, because He loves us. His grace is far greater than we imagine and never runs out.

All we need to do is receive His grace by trusting in God. Then we are counted as if we had never sinned.

Prayer

Father, thank you for your limitless grace. Thank you for setting me free from the prison of sin. Amen.

Scripture

For, if by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.

Observation

Sin entered the world through Adam’s sin, and with it came death. From Adam to Moses death reigned even though people did not sin by breaking a commandment as Adam did.

Many died because of Adam’s sin, but God’s grace is greater. One sin brought death and condemnation but Jesus’ death cancels many sins.

Application

Sin and death are powerful forces and they seem inescapable. But grace is stronger because God is greater than human sin.

Through Jesus Christ every sin I have committed has been cancelled and changed to righteousness.

I don’t have to earn this favour. God pours it out abundantly on everyone who turns to Him and receives His grace.

It’s all about the cross. The obedience of Jesus all the way to death on the cross has opened up the way of salvation to everyone who will receive it.

Prayer

Jesus, my sin is great but your grace is greater. Thank you. Amen.