FRIDAY July 17, 2020

Slaves of Righteousness

I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.
Romans 6:19

You could say the book of Romans is like a mini Bible of the Old Testament and the New Testament. It really speaks to your heart. It is beautiful because the first part addresses sin, and the second part reveals God’s salvation. Remember, our righteousness comes only through Jesus Christ alone.

People in the world are often self-righteous. This is of no value because they are trying to reach God through their own works. Christians have a completely different concept. They know they are sinners and understand that, as they have repented of their sins, Christ’s cleansing blood has forgiven them of their sins and has made them righteous––right with God. They are no longer slaves of sin, but slaves of Christ.

People have to make a choice to receive or reject God. His salvation is a free gift accepted through faith. He never forces people. How do people receive eternal life? Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Oh, how people need to fall on their knees to accept Jesus––the Perfect One. He is the only One who can save people: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6).

Justification demonstrates what God has done; it is experienced through the peace of God. Sanctification is reckoning the old man to be dead. Christians still have a sinful nature that can rise up every day. It is a problem that we face, but we can overcome through the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:1). We have an imperfect nature, and we shall not be perfect until we enter eternity. That is why we need Jesus Christ and the grace of God. Even though we may not feel righteous or holy at times, we walk by faith.

“However holy or Christlike a Christian may become, he is still in the condition of ‘being changed’.”
~John R. W. Stott~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!