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Choose Peace and Life
Tim Savage5Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. 6So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.
38And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. Romans 8
While there are so many important lessons in today’s reading, I feel that Romans 8:5-6 speaks loudest to me this morning. Our readings in Romans has me thinking about sin and responsibility. Yesterday, I felt conflicted because it seemed Paul said that we weren’t responsible for our sins because of the sin nature in us and while I was all too happy to justify my sin and blame someone else, it didn’t quite sit well with what I know to be the truth. We have to accept responsibility when go against God’s instructions. Verses 5 & 6 help me better understand that we have a choice between allowing our sin nature or the Holy Spirit to control us. I am, we are all, naturally controlled by our own selfish nature, but I get to choose to submit to the Holy Spirit who can overcome that which is ingrained in us. It is only through Him that I can find true and eternal life and peace.
I will never be perfect, far from it, but I must accept responsibility for my sin. I must not justify or validate my sin and work daily to more closely walk with Jesus. I must have more self-discipline and inner strength in order to resist the enemy and his plans to defeat me in order to live a life pleasing to God. When I do fall, and I will, I need to get back up, repent and get back in line with His plan for me. But without asking the Holy Spirit to lead, guide and direct me I am destined to fail – a lot. Through His control I can find peace and life. I must choose to follow Him and die to myself daily. And I love the closing verses in chapter 8: ultimately, it’s not our performance or our production that draws us to God. God loves us no matter what and nothing will ever separate us from Him.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for Jesus. Thank You that You love me. Forgive me for sinning against You. I choose to follow the Holy Spirit, leading me closer to You.
In Jesus name,
Amen
