December 7

1. The Law.

We all grew up under some instruction of what 'good behavior' means - whether it was taught to us in a religious context or not. In any culture there is accepted code of behavior. We are taught to be good, but eventually we rebel. We break the rules. In the same way I think we break God’s commands and cross his Will whether we do it consciously or not. The first vivid memory I have of my mother scolding me is when I was in first grade. She came back from work and asked “Did you finish your homework?” “No,” I said carefree. “Why not!” she asked already concerned. “I don't know. I just didn’t want to do it.” After some frowning and voices being raised, my mom gave me a lecture on what actually school means, on priorities, responsibility, the future…all those ‘not so fun' things. If she had not explained to me what I had done wrong I would have always thought that it was OK to skip homework. Without a law, or a regulation we cannot account our behavior as good or bad. My ‘homework example’ is simple. Sins we commit are much heavier and uglier than that, especially as we get older.

" Indeed I would not have known what sin was except through the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, "Do not covet."But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetous desire.” (Romans 7:7-8)

The battle between wanting to be good and failing to be good can be very tiresome. One of the effects of this struggle is a sense of personal bondage: ‘I just can’t get rid of this error in myself’ (Just Read Romans 7:15-25 as a reminder).

2. Freedom from sin and the law.

There are many life philosophies we can live by which basically say "try really hard by doing this or that and you will get better" But it has not worked for me for long. The answer Paul presents for conquering sin and freedom from personal bondage is faith in Jesus Christ: "But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood." (Rom 3:21-25)

This is totally different from trying to improve ourselves on our own and with human help alone. We have not deserved salvation, but God forgives us in His grace! “For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.” (Romans 6:14.) All that is required of us is faith in Christ. In Christ there is forgiveness, freedom, and help for a new true life.

“When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom 6:20-23)

So we are without debt, free to move on with clear consciousness. We may rebound to sin and face setbacks. But Paul says that we now begin a life by the Spirit. The Spirit of God leads us in the right direction. He gives us strength to fight temptation and persevere:

"Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. (Rom 8:5-6)

“Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." (Rom 8:12-15)

I'm amazed again today how much Christ has done for us:

“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Rom 5:6-8)

“If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? (Rom 8:31-32)

-What personal bondage separates you presently from God if any?

-How do you rely on the Spirit of God to guide you? (He certainly does guide me through this bible reading)