Struggling to overcome issues on our own is actually self-defeating. We spin our wheels in the mud in the road of life and get weary and often defeated. However, with Christ in us, we relinquish our issues to His Spirit as He sanctifies us each step that we take on the narrow road of redemption (2 Corinthians 4:8).
Through salvation, we are already dead to sin through baptism into the death of Christ (Romans 6:3-6). We only need to deny our self the inclination to give in to carnal temptations that satanic forces use to encourage us to participate in these sins again.
We resist temptation by remembering that we are already crucified with Jesus Christ, who loves us and gave His life for our atonement (Galatians 2:20; Matthew 16:24). Jesus is our only way to eternal life, the only truth to believe, and the only life for us to live (Colossians 3:3-4; John 14:6).
If anything in our life holds more value to us than the relationship we enjoy with Jesus as our Savior, we cannot be His disciple (Luke 14:26). Jesus makes us free indeed (John 8:36) from the degradation of iniquity, and we are no longer slaves to satanic forces which constantly attempt to derail a servant of the Lord (Galatians 6:14).
We do not boast in our own accomplishments, but only in what Jesus did and continues to do in us through His Spirit each day of our life (Ephesians 2:7-9). When we walk in God’s will, by following His Spirit’s peace in our spirit regardless of our human emotions and thoughts, we can, through His strength, do everything that His Spirit guides us to do (Philippians 4:13).
If we usually keep His commandments and follow His ways, we have proof that we are truly Born Again Believers. However, if we think we are saved and heaven bound, yet continue in willful sin, we are a liar, and God’s truth and Spirit are not in us (1 John 2:1-27).
Prayer:
Father God, we thank You that You are the Keeper of the vineyard of those who abide in You and in which You abide. We are branches hanging out on the Vine of Jesus Christ, and You prune us of fleshly desires to enable us to bear much fruit for Your Kingdom. Even if we fall into momentary weakness and sin, we have Jesus Christ as our advocate with our Father God. Teach us that apart from the Vine we can do nothing of any real value (John 15:5).
Remind us that we are the temple of Your Holy Spirit and that we are not our own master. Jesus bought us with the price of taking on the sins of the whole world. Help us to glorify You in our thoughts, words, and actions (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Your love is perfected in whoever keeps Your Word. This gives us the confidence we need to know without a doubt that we abide in You as You abide in us (1 John 2:28-29). You always make a way for us in every area of our life.
Thoughts for the Day:
As we make seeking God and His righteousness as our priority in our day, He will provide for all our needs (Matthew 6:33). By His sacrifice for us on Calvary’s cross, Jesus ensures that we are raised from the dead both literally and spiritually. We no longer allow our thoughts, emotions, and choices to bear the consequences of sin and death.
- Romans 7:1-25
