Romans 6:11-13
“Dead man walking” is a phrase that was used by guards many years ago in prisons. When a death row inmate was taken from his cell to be executed, the guards would shout “dead man walking” as he headed to the execution chamber. This phrase is a great way to sum up our lives before salvation. As an unbeliever I was a “dead man walking” – my sin, my rebellion against God, and His commands. My sin and selfishness separated me from God, with no way to fix it without the grace provided by Jesus. In our passage, we see in Christ we are no longer “dead men walking” but are alive in Christ. This transformation needs to be met with thanksgiving and worship. The debt was paid on my behalf by the work of Jesus on the cross and His victory over death. This transformation needs to be also met with a desire to pursue holiness. We are to be dead to sin, not going back to our former way of life. Ephesians 4:17-24 challenges us to not live like the world- “darkened in their understanding” and “pursuing every kind of impurity”. We are to put off our old sinful life and put on the new life with new priorities. This new life is to be created in the image of Jesus; we are to be Christlike in all we do. The priority becomes molding our lives into instruments of righteousness.
We are alive in Jesus! What does that look like in my life?
I am no longer separated from God. The Holy Spirit dwells in me, comforting, giving wisdom, and activating my conscience. This allows me to be sensitive to sin and resist temptation. Submitting to God is the key to allowing Him to mold me into a more Christlike person.
I am a new creation in Jesus. 2 Cor. 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold the new has come.” (ESV) I no longer am trapped by my old life- I can break free from old habits, repetitive sins, and the darkness that was in my life before Jesus.
New priorities which focus on godliness and not sin. Romans 6:14- “For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under the law but under grace.” (ESV) The pursuit of Christ and molding my life to be more Christlike becomes my top goals.
Today, take some time to pray, thanking God for providing a way out of sin. In your prayer focus on what areas in your life that you need to surrender to God. Ask Him to help with temptation and habitual sins that may plague your walk. Focus today on one area in your life that you can make more Christlike. Be assured that when I pursue Jesus, He will provide a way for me to be more like Him. I can be an instrument of righteousness.
We are alive in Jesus! What does that look like in my life?
I am no longer separated from God. The Holy Spirit dwells in me, comforting, giving wisdom, and activating my conscience. This allows me to be sensitive to sin and resist temptation. Submitting to God is the key to allowing Him to mold me into a more Christlike person.
I am a new creation in Jesus. 2 Cor. 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold the new has come.” (ESV) I no longer am trapped by my old life- I can break free from old habits, repetitive sins, and the darkness that was in my life before Jesus.
New priorities which focus on godliness and not sin. Romans 6:14- “For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under the law but under grace.” (ESV) The pursuit of Christ and molding my life to be more Christlike becomes my top goals.
Today, take some time to pray, thanking God for providing a way out of sin. In your prayer focus on what areas in your life that you need to surrender to God. Ask Him to help with temptation and habitual sins that may plague your walk. Focus today on one area in your life that you can make more Christlike. Be assured that when I pursue Jesus, He will provide a way for me to be more like Him. I can be an instrument of righteousness.
Posted in Devotional