When you were slaves to sin,you were free from the control of righteousness. What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.
TO PONDER
We have all done things that we are ashamed of. Usually we avoid going back over those memories because we do not like to re-live the feelings of guilt or shame that often come flooding back when we revisit what we did.
Today the apostle Paul is asking us to do exactly that, To reflect on the things that we have done that we are now ashamed of. It doesn't matter what it was or what it is, what Paul is trying to get us to see is that the only thing they bring us is guilt and shame.
Jesus died and rose to free us from that guilt and shame, why on earth would we keep going back to it? What good could we possibly think will come from it? Don't let sin suck you back down into guilt and shame. Instead let the resurrection power and life of Jesus be what guides and directs your path today.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, Thank you for freeing me from the guilt of my sin and shame. I know that in you I have forgiveness and eternal life. Please help me to live each day confident and assured of the freedom I now have in you. Amen
Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.
TO PONDER
Ever heard the phrase, ‘Jack of all trades, master of none’? Having a small amount of knowledge on a topic can be helpful, but it doesn’t make you a master. I can change a blown light bulb and even flip a fuse back on, but if I wanted another power point installed, I would need to call an electrician. I know how to change a tire on my car and fill it with petrol, but when it dies at the traffic lights, I call a mechanic. I can do a little, but I need a master when problems are beyond my scope of control. God knew that I would never be able to earn my salvation. I can make some ‘right’ decisions, I can show love and even patience on occasion, but I am not able to work for my salvation. Jesus is the master who lived the perfect life, died the perfect death and rose perfectly, to defeat death and sin, not just for himself, but for all humanity. He is our master, and all we need to do is call out to him!
PRAYER
Jesus, thank you that you mastered life and death, and you defeated the power of sin in my life through your death and resurrection. Help me to stop relying on my own strength, but to instead call on you, the master of all things. Amen.
Today's devotion written by Elise Von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle.
What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
TO PONDER
Have you ever been offered a referral benefit? You know, if you convince your friends and family to sign up for this deal, or frequent this business then you will receive this reward or discount. Our children’s school even offers one! If you love us, why not share this with others who you think might love us to, and then you will receive the benefit. It’s an interesting business model, and one I was reminded of as I read this passage. We receive the benefit from the death of Jesus. It was Jesus who died on the cross and was raised to life, and yet we receive the benefits of forgiveness of sins and eternal life with our Father. It’s our free gift, our offer too good to refuse. May we understand this truth more and more in our daily lives!
PRAYER
Lord, I thank you that I was buried with you though my baptism and I am raised to new life each day because of your sacrifice. Help me to understand all this means in my life today. Amen.
Today's devotion written by Elise Von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle
The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
TO PONDER
Have you ever had someone that hurt you really badly that it just seemed too hard to forgive them? Sometimes it can feel like the sins that others commit against us are just too much, too hard to overcome.
Isn't it great that when it comes to God, there is no sin too big, no trespass so great that he can't forgive. In Christ, God's grace is enough to cover every sin, every mistake, every wrongdoing.
Since, you have received this unlimited grace from God, how will you let that grace rule your life and inform how and what you can forgive?
PRAYER
Thankyou Heavenly Father, for your unending grace. Help me to live in light of your grace and to forgive others as you have forgiven me. Amen
I called on your name, Lord, from the depths of the pit. You heard my plea: “Do not close your ears to my cry for relief.”
You came near when I called you, and you said, “Do not fear.” You, Lord, took up my case; you redeemed my life.
TO PONDER
It’s the final verse I’m unsure about. He took up my case. Mmmm. I’m guilty though. Other parts of scripture tell me I’m a sinner, even before I was born, so if the Lord takes up my case, I’m done for, gone, doomed, ready to be thrown into jail, preparing for the slammer, getting ready for the book to be thrown at me.
Yes, the book. Ah! I know what book I want thrown at me though. The Bible. Because even though there are places that remind me that I am a sinner, and not worthy of God’s love, there are many more parts that tell me I’m loved no matter what. Even the rest of the verse above tells me – ‘you redeemed my life.’
Super. I’ve got the right lawyer, yet I won’t I be found guilty, because the cross dealt with my guilt. Jesus took my sin. The open tomb ensured that my life was indeed redeemed.
So, I am free to live, and love, and share.
PRAYER
Ruler of all, thank you for your unconditional love. How privileged we are to have someone whose job it is to love, despite everything we do to not deserve it. Help us not to judge others, but respect and care for those we relate to. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
Today's devotion written by Mark Simpfendorfer, LifeWay Epping.
How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.
TO PONDER
We have a problem. The problem is the fence we share with our neighbours. The fence, well, it’s really a retaining wall, straddles the boundaries of our properties, and possibly due to the way it was built 30 years ago, is slowly moving…towards our house! We need to meet with the neighbour to work out a solution, which will not be cheap. Fences, or boundaries between neighbouring properties is a tricky area. If they need repairing, whose responsibility is it to fix? It seems to be a grey area, where no one is quite sure whose job it is. When you build a new fence, there is an understanding that each neighbour pays half. However, if you can’t agree, or come to an understanding, and you don’t want the expense of a court case, then mediation may be the way to go. A mediator will be the go-between you and the other party and try to negotiate a reasonable outcome.
In our lives, we have a mediator. Christ is the go-between the old and the new – the old life we’ve hopefully moved away from, and the new life, which God promises will be so much better. If you have a dilemma in life, use the spiritual mediator. If there is something is a relationship which isn’t working as it could, check in with the mediator. Christ promises to listen and walk with you in everything.
PRAYER
We thank you Jesus, for the many roles you play in our lives. Today we thank you for being the go-between, the connector, the fixer. Help us to lean on you when things don’t go our way and prepare us for whatever answer you give. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mark Simpfendorfer, LifeWay Epping
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
TO PONDER
What’s your love language? Based on the book ‘5 Love Languages’, by Gary Chapman, the five love languages are five different ways of expressing and receiving love. They are:
- Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Receiving Gifts, Acts of Service, Physical Touch
Not everyone communicates love in the same way, and likewise, people have different ways they prefer to receive love. And we will often enjoy more than one of the love languages – but there will be a language suited to you.
Think of the people around you, especially those closest to you. Try and work out what their love language, or main love language is. In my family, there is someone who responds best to ‘quality time’. Another close friend’s love language is ‘physical touch’. If you know what they are, you can use them to help build your relationship with that person.
What do you think Jesus’ love language might be? Re-read the text and it gives you a hint. You’re right. Acts of Service. The ultimate servant. He served so much that he gave up his life. That’s how much love he has for you. There’s an old saying that goes, ‘I asked Jesus, ‘how much do you love me?’
He said, ‘this much, and he held out his hands…and died.
What a servant! What an act of service! What an act of grace! What choice do we have then, but to respond in grace to those around us?
PRAYER
Servant of all, we really can’t comprehend what you’ve done for us. We are in awe of your selfless act which enables us to live. We thank you for the amazing gift you’ve given to us. When we forget, prompt us to remember. When we neglect you and your love, push us back to you. In Jesus name we pray, Amen
Today's devotion written by Mark Simpfendorfer, LifeWay Epping
So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:
TO PONDER
Stuff. My generation has too much stuff. Things we don’t need. It’s true you know, one of the fastest growing businesses is storage. All over Australia, and many parts of the world, warehouses are built where you get to pay to store things. Things you don’t use and may never end up using. There are even TV shows about storage wars!
I must admit, I don’t see the point in storage. If it is no longer used, or required, dispose of it. Give it away. If it is too old, get rid of it.
As children of God, there are things we strive to get rid of, and they are all connected with our lives. All those things that are opposite to the fruits of the spirit. Here are the fruits of the spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Think of the opposite, and that’s what we live with every day.
But we also get the opportunity to experience the fruits of the spirit, because as children of God, as followers of Jesus, as those baptised into his family, the old has gone, and we get to play with the new! It’s God’s gift to us. A gift he keeps on giving time after time, despite our falling back to the old ways. A great time then to thank God for that gift.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank you that you sent Jesus to us, to experience a little of our lives on this earth. Thank you that we can let go of the old, the old life, the old ways, the old stuff that we don’t need, and thank you for the gift of all the new stuff. Help us to use the new stuff carefully, as it helps us live our lives with you in it. Amen.
Today's devotion written by Mark Simpfendorfer, LifeWay Epping
“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.
TO PONDER
‘Say sorry’ was often the comment used by the teacher on yard duty, when mediating between two fighting children. At staff meetings, the subject of ‘reconciliation’ in the playground or classroom was often on the agenda, especially in a religious school. Often the playground conversation would go something like this.
‘Sir, he punched me for no reason’
‘No I didn’t! You weren’t letting me play your game of handball’.
Teacher: ‘Is that true Josh, that you didn’t let Ethan join in?’
Josh. ‘He doesn’t know how to play, and always breaks the rules!’
Teacher: ‘OK. Ethan, to be allowed in a game, it is important you know the rules, and play by the rules. Do you agree?’
Ethan. ‘Yeah ok’.
Teacher. ‘Right. Both of you say sorry, shake hands, and go and enjoy your game of handball’.
And off they would go.
But it didn’t go far enough. There needed to be one more step. The next step is very important. It is the words, ‘I forgive you’. I forgive you allows you to move forward. I forgive you ensures you can continue. I forgive you completes the reconciliation. Our reading had Jesus commenting on reconciliation, and it is only when you are reconciled, when the forgiveness has taken place, that we are free to offer and receive our gifts – whatever they may be.
PRAYER
Forgiver of all, help us to follow your example of grace. Enable us to follow your example of fixing things up before we move on. Give us the humbleness to reconcile with those who have wronged us, or whom we have wronged. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mark Simpfendorfer, LifeWay Epping