imported_rachel
01-29-2007, 01:27 PM
We often consider our need to more fully submit our life to God and
the leading of His Spirit - to place our life in His hands and
release our "self" control. We desire to be in His perfect will and
serve Him with all our heart. But does our desire to serve go so far
as to consider ourselves a slave?
Romans 6:20-22
"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."
Slavery has many negative connotations; but, in truth, we are all
born into slavery - born a slave to sin. The only way to be set free
from the mastery of sin and death is to ask for a transfer of
ownership and become a slave to God. Our new Master then has the
grace and power to shatter the bonds of sin and give us the gift of
true freedom. We are never free unto ourselves, never our own
master. Many live under the illusion of freedom, but we are either a
slave to sin or a slave to God. If we refuse to be directed by God,
we will absolutely be directed and controlled by the sinful pulls of
the World.
If we are struggling to break the bondage of sin, we must first stop
fighting. This is not a battle we can win with our own
strength! The only way to be set free is to submit our life to God
and receive forgiveness through faith in Jesus. Submission is not
just an optional requirement for the "mature" Christian; rather,
submission is the essence of a saving faith which begins by
acknowledging we cannot save ourself but must submit to the grace of
God. Submission then continues as we daily trust in His grace to
live according to the ways of His Spirit.
Romans 8:5-6
"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. The mind
of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life
and peace."
God is sending out His call around the world today. In the stillness
of our heart we've heard Him call us to a closer and more intimate
relationship - a more consistently submitted life of true devotion
and praise. But He is requiring us to make a choice: "Choose this
day whom you will serve" (Joshua 24:15). We have been offered
freedom from the power of sin and death. Let's fully embrace His
gift, submit to the leading of His Spirit, continue to submit at
every opportunity, worship Him with all our heart, and forever
become...His devoted slave.
Have a Great Day!
Steve Troxel
God's Daily Word Ministries
************************************************** ***
Archive of previous devotions : http://www.gdwm.org/archive06.htm
Subscribe/Unsubscribe by email to closerwalk@gdwm.org
Subscribe via web: http://www.gdwm.org/subscribe.htm
the leading of His Spirit - to place our life in His hands and
release our "self" control. We desire to be in His perfect will and
serve Him with all our heart. But does our desire to serve go so far
as to consider ourselves a slave?
Romans 6:20-22
"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."
Slavery has many negative connotations; but, in truth, we are all
born into slavery - born a slave to sin. The only way to be set free
from the mastery of sin and death is to ask for a transfer of
ownership and become a slave to God. Our new Master then has the
grace and power to shatter the bonds of sin and give us the gift of
true freedom. We are never free unto ourselves, never our own
master. Many live under the illusion of freedom, but we are either a
slave to sin or a slave to God. If we refuse to be directed by God,
we will absolutely be directed and controlled by the sinful pulls of
the World.
If we are struggling to break the bondage of sin, we must first stop
fighting. This is not a battle we can win with our own
strength! The only way to be set free is to submit our life to God
and receive forgiveness through faith in Jesus. Submission is not
just an optional requirement for the "mature" Christian; rather,
submission is the essence of a saving faith which begins by
acknowledging we cannot save ourself but must submit to the grace of
God. Submission then continues as we daily trust in His grace to
live according to the ways of His Spirit.
Romans 8:5-6
"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. The mind
of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life
and peace."
God is sending out His call around the world today. In the stillness
of our heart we've heard Him call us to a closer and more intimate
relationship - a more consistently submitted life of true devotion
and praise. But He is requiring us to make a choice: "Choose this
day whom you will serve" (Joshua 24:15). We have been offered
freedom from the power of sin and death. Let's fully embrace His
gift, submit to the leading of His Spirit, continue to submit at
every opportunity, worship Him with all our heart, and forever
become...His devoted slave.
Have a Great Day!
Steve Troxel
God's Daily Word Ministries
************************************************** ***
Archive of previous devotions : http://www.gdwm.org/archive06.htm
Subscribe/Unsubscribe by email to closerwalk@gdwm.org
Subscribe via web: http://www.gdwm.org/subscribe.htm