“Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living.” Romans 6:16 (NLT)
Let’s be honest, we all surrender to something or someone! I have seen this in my own life! I’ve been controlled in negative ways by relationships, my attitude, addictions, friends, pride, selfishness, and the list goes on. When you look at this list it’s easy to ask, what’s wrong with …? That’s a great question! My answer is simple, when I allow those things to dominate my thoughts, influence my actions toward sin, or have to worry that I don’t get caught … that’s a sign that things aren’t going the way they should and that I am choosing to let sin control me more than I want to admit.
However, when I make the choice to obey God, it puts things in perspective. I begin to look at things differently, because now I am trying to live in the newness of life that God has given me through what Christ has done on the Cross. This impacts my relationships, changes my attitude, convicts, corrects, and begins to cure my addictions, filters my friendships, humbles my pride, and encourages me to be selfless instead of being selfish.
Now, to be honest, this sounds real pretty in a blog post, but this process is very messy in my life. Some things are easier than others to grow past!!! But sometimes old habits, attitudes, thoughts, and temptations come like a raging wind hoping to take me out. Sometimes I get caught in the moment and have to confess the sin. The good news is that God forgives me, cleans me up, and reminds me of His love.
Father, Today, I am thankful for your love, grace, and forgiveness. Today I choose to live for you! When temptations come, let me be reminded of your love and your way, so I don’t get caught in the moment, and do the things that are unpleasing to you. Today, I surrender all of me for all of YOU, may you be glorified by the way I live today! In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.
When you read Romans 6 what speaks to you?
Dan Gould 