SWHW Bible Reading Plan: August 2021Sample

Top Takeaway from Caren Fehr:

"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 6:13-14

Romans 6-7 highlights how when we are born again in Christ and believe in Jesus for our salvation, our relationship with sin permanently changes. We die to sin and the habitual practice of it. We no longer live in it and are no longer slaves to it.

It is because of God's immeasurable grace that we can walk in the freedom Christ has given us! Our lives are now set apart for a new purpose. We no longer live to please and glorify ourselves, but to please and glorify Christ. We are being made holy and set apart for God's purpose.

Quick flashback: Have you ever noticed in the Old Testament how lifeless objects would be deemed holy? Things like tithes, linen, pots, silver, etc.? Anything put at God’s disposal and for His exclusive use was and is holy because it is wholly devoted to Him and separated unto Him.

In the same way, once we are in Christ, all we are is to be devoted to Him. Our eyes, mouth, ears, hands, feet, and possessions are to be submitted under Christ. When Paul says that we must stop offering any part of ourselves to sin, this means we cannot allow any part of ourselves or our lives to become a tool for evil and used for sinning. Instead, we are to redeem all we are and have for righteousness and offer ourselves to God.

"For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace." - Romans 6:14

I love the promise of victory here. Notice it does not say that sin will never be present in us, but that sin will no longer be our master. Sin will be completely extinguished from our lives when we are resurrected in glory. 

Until then we are to live out Galatians 5:16:

"So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh."

I hope you are as encouraged by this verse as I am. There is hope, courage, and strength in the battle against sin. We must never forget that God, by His grace, has set us free in Christ. Therefore, let us put on our armor, get to the root of our sin, and attack it with the truth found in God's Word. God never asks us to do anything without His help and power. He is with you!

Father, thank You for Your grace and for Jesus' death and resurrection. By His wounds we are healed! I ask that You would help us to humbly face and confess the sin in our lives that we've either ignored or excused. As we do, help us to simultaneously magnify the cross and Your grace, believing that You are quick to forgive. Help us to offer every part of ourselves for Your glory and Your Kingdom today. Amen.