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1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. 9 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you. (Romans 8:1-11 NIV Bible)
A blessed and happy Tuesday to you, dear Friend. May this bring what you seek in your spiritual life. Remember to pray for one another, for the Church, for your friends, for your enemies, for your loved ones, and for the needs of the world.
It's an old story, but its truth is still profound. Come to think of it, at my age, all the stories are old! But I pray they be made new in your hearing, reception, and dedication to Jesus! But it's a story about a young boy who had just gotten a slingshot and with it, he aimed and killed his grandmother's favorite goose. This act was seen by his little sister who said she would keep quiet about it if he did all her chores for a month. His newfound kindness in doing the dishes when it was his sister's turn, or taking out the trash when it was his turn made grandma suspicious, but then she figured it out after a few days. "Son," she said, "I know what you did and I know your sister saw you, but as long as don't confess it publicly and repent of it, she will be your master. Is that what you want?" He confessed his act and repeated his confession and repentance in front of his sister. Her control over her brother was now over.
In a real way we too sometimes lose control over our freedom because we do not take advantage of God's love for us, and the power God has to forgive us and give us a new start. The Apostle Paul knew that and so he peached it often and with urgency. Hear his words again, "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus," referring to the severe state our sinfulness is, yet he adds, "through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit Who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death." The truth is that our human struggle, besides being daily, is rough. You and I need a redeemer. And in this passage we have the clear message of hope from Paul, that thanks to the power of the Holy Spirit we are free!
The first four verses stress the power of liberation we find in God. Paul stresses freedom over condemnation though Jesus Christ. It was Our Lord's willingness to sacrifice Himself for us, and it was that sacrifice sets us free from the law of sin and death. It is in Christ Jesus that we are no longer slaves to sin, nor does that define us any longer, for we are made new and we now have the power from God to live in righteousness.
Dear ones, where is your mind most of the day? Is it on the worries and things of this world, or is it set on Christ? One is set on the flesh and the other is set on the Spirit. If we can learn to focus our minds on the things of God and His beauty, we will be guided by the Holy Spirit; the other way is to sink even deeper into the carnal ways of life and that sets our mind and eventually our spirit on the things of death. Our desires and thoughts should be aligned with God's will for our life. God's way is better, higher and more sacred. It's up to us to open ourselves to God's leading so that we can truly be in tune with God and His ways.
In verses 9 through 11, we should see how the Holy Spirit can be at work in us for we are believers. If we have invited The Spirit to dwell within us, He will, and it will be Him who guides us to the better way, empowering us to live our lives in accordance to God's will for our lives. We must not forget it was this same Spirit that gave life to Jesus from death and it is He who will give us new life to live in Him, thus our victory over sin.
Friend, say this right now out loud: I am free thanks to Jesus! You've just shared with those within earshot, the victory that is already yours! Now say, I am a child of God and I now walk in the power of God's Holy Spirit. You and I have been set free from the power of sin and death and that is a victory that we can, and should, celebrate!
PRAYER: Awesome God, give me a renewed mind and a refreshed spirit so that I can be faithful all days in You. Help me to celebrate in contagious ways that which has made us free; and may we openly and willingly share with others that freedom and joy that can be theirs; in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Help set others free with the good news of Jesus!
Receive my blessings of joy and love,
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
