Sinning

Text: Romans 6:1-11

Theme: Sin’s power was broken so we no longer have to sin.

Key verses: “Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?” (v. 1,2). “Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was. We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin” (v. 5-7). “So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus” (v. 11).

What God said to me: Struggling with whole reckoning-yourself-to-be-dead thing, aren’t you? Then again, maybe you’re special. Maybe you get a free pass from sinning. Perhaps we’ve been “pals” for so long that you can basically get away with what you want to do. Is that what you think? I know your answer with your lips is a forceful, rebuffing no. However, the answer with your actions looks quite different sometimes. Dwayne, I grow weary of your wonderings. Of course I will continue to forgive you. My Son has already died for every sin you will commit, so they are all covered by His blood. What I won’t continue to do is strive with you and allow you to trample my Son’s blood under your feet with your selfish, sinful ways. I watched my precious Son bleed and die on a cross so the power of sin in your life could be forever broken. My children are without excuse for continuing to sin and rebel against me. Anyone who does not reckon themselves to dead to sin (which they are), anyone who keeps on sinning despite my intervention and cure, will find their blessings and even their lives cut short. I chasten those I love. I prune them so they bear more fruit. But if you choose not to learn from my chastening, if you stiffen your neck against my pruning, I will have no choice but to place you in a refining fire, when your works will be tested and your opportunities to live for me may be spent. This is a solemn warning and word. See you to it.

What I said to God: Thank You, my Father, for your chastening words to me now. I hear You. Whether I choose to obey remains to be seen. What I do know and cannot deny is that You have been clear in Your speaking and wise in Your warning. I must listen and obey; I must trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey. Please Father, grant me the tenacity and godly strength and determination to lay myself down on Your altar and not pick myself back up again. I am Yours, Lord, Everything I’ve got, everything I am, everything I’m not. I’m yours Lord: Try me now and see, see if I can be completely yours. Seriously thank You for Your unfathomable mercy and grace that never gives up on me.