Growing In Christ Is A Life-long Process
BRD REFLECTIONS
(Tony Yeo, Steward, LCEC)
READ:
Romans 7 (NIV)
OBSERVE:
The letter to the Romans is significant as it stands as the clearest and most systematic presentation of Christian doctrine in all the Scriptures. Paul discusses that which is most easily observable in the world — the sinfulness of all humanity.
All people have been condemned due to our rebellion against God. However, God in His grace offers us justification by faith in His Son, Jesus. When we are justified by God, we receive redemption, or salvation, because Christ’s blood covers our sin. But Paul made it clear that the believer’s pursuit of God doesn’t stop with salvation. Each of us go through a process of sanctification — being made holy — as we persist in following Him. Paul’s treatment of these issues offers a logical and complete presentation of how a person can be saved from the penalty and power of his or her sin.
The primary theme running through Paul’s letter to the Romans is the revelation of God’s righteousness in His plan for salvation.
In Romans 7, Paul explains how we are saved by grace and not by observing the law alone, because Christ died for us. He clarifies the relationship between the law and sin.
APPLY:
By our union with Christ, Christians have been given a new life. Because Christ died for us, there is now a new relationship and in fact, a new union between God and us.
We are to avoid sin, but sin is no longer defined in the contrast against the laws of Moses but is defined in the contrast against the character of Christ”
“But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.” – Romans 7:6
The law was once binding but we have been released from it because of Christ. Instead of serving God according to the law, we serve in a new way, defined by the Holy Spirit.
DO:
Romans 7 tells us one simple truth. The law alone cannot save us as we are sinners and we simply do not follow it. The law is holy but we misuse the law. Keeping to strict rules, rituals and customs does not save us. Salvation therefore cannot be found in obeying the law alone but by following Christ. Only Christ can set us free. We now belong to Christ and as a follower of Christ, a new life begins in us.
When I chose to follow Christ, it was a moment of faith but becoming like Christ is a lifelong process. There is no point in having the law to tell me that I have done wrong and that I am a sinner without offering any help. It is Christ who promised that through Him, we have a direct route to God the Father. It is Christ who promised that the Holy Spirit will be in each and every one of his followers. It is the Holy Spirit who lives in me that gives me that power and helps to overcome sin and to guide me to live the life of a Christian.
PRAY:
Dear Jesus, thank you for the Holy Spirit in me. Thank you that through you, I no longer live by the law but I live for you and through you. I pray that I will not feel defeated because of my sinful life but you will provide the guidance and strength for me to continue the process of sanctification throughout my life. Amen.
