Romans 6:12-14
Thoughts from Pastor Josh
Dive Deeper
“Therefore, do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. For sin shall no longer be your master because you are not under the law, but under grace.”
Romans 6:12-14
Behind the Scenes
The author of this passage, Paul, is writing to the Romans, stating the two options we have. To let our bodies be used for evil desires, to be instruments of wickedness and an offering to sin. Or to allow our bodies to be used as an instrument of righteousness, an offering to God. The two options that are given allow us the freedom to choose what we desire, to choose righteousness or to choose wickedness.
Wickedness is a strong word but can look harmless. For example, speaking unkindly about another, being impatient, or lusting after another in one’s mind. The list could go on and on. We all have our weak points, but we have a choice. It is one we have to make every day, to choose sin or choose righteousness.
Make it Real
It may seem overwhelming to always choose righteousness, but it equates to intentionally doing the next right thing- Not taking a years’ worth of decisions on your shoulders, trying to uphold them all. Instead in every minute choosing to love well, having grace with people who are hard to have grace towards, or withholding from temptations that are not honoring to God.
To always love, always have grace, and to conquer a temptation or addiction can seem like a lot to take on, but it takes one choice after another choice. And before you know it you are twelve months into little decisions that have monumentally changed your year. You are known by the way you selflessly love, or by your graciousness, or by how you have finally conquered an addiction that you never thought was possible.
But you have to start somewhere! That decision, whatever it looks like to you, can be made today.
With all that said we are all human; we will fail at times. But there is grace. The end of the passage says, “For sin shall no longer be your master because you are not under the law, but under grace.” There is freedom in that today! Freedom from offering yourself to sin and in turn offering yourself to God. It only takes one decision after another. So, which will you choose today?
Aletha Thurston
ACF Devo Team
End in Prayer
Jesus,
Thank you for being the strength that sustains us, that upholds us. Thank you for being gracious when we are undeserving. I pray this to be true, that sin is no longer the church body’s master but that we choose to offer ourselves to you. I pray for the strength to choose you when the difficult moments come, because they will. But God you are bigger than the trials that we face, and you walk with us through them. Thank you for loving us, for giving us strength, and for being with us in the hard time.
We love you and we praise you,
Amen.