The book of Romans continues to deliver a fresh word as we continued on in Week 5 of the study, Not Ashamed of the Gospel, by Hello Mornings.

We began the week with reading Romans 6:8-14. It was good to be reminded that Christ died to break the power of sin over our lives. Anyone else?

“For sin shall not be master over you …” (verse 14, NASB).

It was the word ‘master’ which grabbed my attention. The enemy desires for us to think our sin has control over us, or is our master. But the truth came to mind of the many times Jesus is called “Master” in the Scriptures.

Satan makes us think sin is our master (little m).
But Scripture tells us the truth – Jesus is our Master (big M).

The study asked: What are the 3 steps Paul lists in verses 11-13 in order to become instruments of righteousness?

I think if we back up to verse 3, we actually get four steps. See if you agree or disagree:

1. We need to KNOW the truth of our identity (verse 3).
2. We need to CONSIDER these truths to be true of ourselves and not just of others (verse 11).
3. We need to PRESENT ourselves as alive to God (verse 13).
4. We need to OBEY these steps and live in them.

Today as I read the Scriptures and thought on the four above points, the words of a song came back to mind (The Word of God Has Spoken, Travis Cottrell):

“The word of God has spoken
We are changed forever
The power of sin is broken we are free
We are running to salvation
We have been delivered
The Word of God has spoken we are free.”

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Mid-week we read Romans 7:1-6. Here Paul uses an analogy which is easy for us to understand.

While a woman is alive and if she should be married, she is bound by law to her husband. But should he die, she is freed from her association and the laws which would bind them together.

And so it is with us as believers. through Christ, we have been freed from the Law to be joined together with another, Christ.

“Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.” (verse 4, NASB)

We have been made free for a purpose – “in order that we might bear fruit for God.”

Again Paul reminds us that God intends for each of our lives to bear fruit. His desire is for us to be productive:

“My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.” (John 15:8, NASB)

As we abide in Him, living and serving in the Spirit, our lives will bear fruit.

The study asks: Do you serve more in the Law or in the Spirit? Ask God to guide you to serve Him in the Spirit.

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We brought the week to a close with reading Romans 7:8-25. This is a familiar passage, addressing the struggle we all face with sin, and our human natures. We long to do right and yet, often fail and sin.

As I read this morning, I took notice of two phrases:

• “But sin, taking opportunity…” (verse 8, NASB)
• “for sin, taking an opportunity…” (verse 11, NASB)

Sin will always take an opportunity if one presents itself in our lives. We can count on that. My Bible commentary shares this:

“Self-effort can neither achieve holiness through keeping the law nor win the struggle against indwelling sin.”

The only way to achieve holiness is by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and by the victory Jesus Christ brings through identification with His death …

“Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (verses 24-25, NASB)

The study reminds us that there are “things that you do and don’t want to do, and the ones you want to do, but don’t.”

So what’s one choice you can make today, to change one?

Making a choice to change one is more achievable,
when we focus on one change at a time.

Photo 1: by Zbynek Burival on Unsplash
Photo 2: by Burst on Unsplash

Today I am joining … Tell His Story and InstaEncouragements .