Romans 6:1-4 ¹What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? ²God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? ³Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? ⁴Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

2×4 Time

This was the reading at Hosanna (my Church) several weeks ago.  I remember these first verses being a 2×4 to the head (think ‘Tommy Boy‘).  How often do I find myself using God’s grace as an excuse to sin…  I think we are all guilty of it from time to time.  Or maybe there is that one specific sinful addiction that you can’t seem to break.  The one that has be come so habitual that you’ve stop trying.

Romans 6:6 ⁶Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?

Slaves to???

Paul makes a good point about the dedication we need to present in our lives.  Just as Christ was obedient unto death for us, we are asked to due the same out of joy and gratitude for what has been done for us.  This is something we should strive for daily…even if yesterday was a bust.  We can make the effort and pray for obedience to Christ and His will be done in our lives.

Mark 10:27 ²⁷Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible,but not with God; all things are possible with God.”

Prayer

My Father,

I pray for obedience today.  For obedience to your will.  For your newness of life to overtake my purpose and grant me the freedom from sin that your grace brings.

In His most Holy Name,

Amen.