From Dream to Deliverance
Friday, September 10, 2004
My Prayer Today
Dear Heavenly Father, I want to thank You for the power of the life-giving Spirit! Without the Holy Spirit in my life I would be doomed for failure. I praise You Father for the power and the grace to live in victory. I admit that I fall short of Your best for me so many times, however, I know that You do not give up on me. I ask that today You would be glorified through both my thoughts and actions. I want to live the glory of Your grace. I ask this in Jesus' name. . . Amen.
God's Word For Me Today
Romans 7:21-8:4
7:21 "It seems to be a fact of life that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. 22 I love God's law with all my heart. 23 But there is another law at work within me that is at war with my mind. This law wins the fight and makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. 24 Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will set me free from this life that is dominated by sin? 25 Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ out Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God's law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin."
8:1 "So now there is now no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. 2 For the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you through Christ Jesus from the power of sin that leads to death. 3 The law of Moses could not save us, because of our sinful nature. But God put into effect a different plan to save us. He sent his own Son in a human body like ours, except that ours are sinful. God destroyed sin's control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. 4 He did this so that the requirement of the law would be fully accomplished for us who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit."
Reflecting on God’s Word
According to Romans 8:2, what "power" is at work within Christians?
Why are the words "life-giving" used to describe the power of the Holy Spirit?
According to verse 2, are we as Christians "slaves" or "free" from the power of sin?
A Deeper Exploration of God’s Word
What does it mean to have the "life-giving" Spirit living within us?
Does this new "law" (or power) of the Spirit replace an old law in chapter 7, if so what?
Is the role of the Old Testament law in the life of a Christian?
Understanding God’s Word
What is the end result of sin?
Why is sin so terrible in God's sight?
What is the implication that we are freed from sin, through Jesus Christ, that leads to death? Do we still die?
Applying God’s Word to Our Lives
As a Christian do you feel "free" from the bondage of sin? Why or why not?
Are you afraid of dying? Why or why not?
What is one thing you can do today to combat the devil when he tempts you with sin?
Thoughts...
Just recently my wife and I were leaving a gathering, we arrived at our car only to find that it would not start. I am sure that all of us have had this type of experience before, but it is rather frustrating when the car will not turn on! After determining that the battery in the car was dead, several of our friends were able to help us and the car eventually started. Without the power to the engine that the battery provided, the engine would not start. Romans 8:2 also says that the Holy Spirit provides power. It says, "For the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you through Christ Jesus from the power of sin that leads to death." If we as humans try to live a life without sin, we will never be able to do it. However, it is only when we rely upon the power of the Holy Spirit (who is given to all followers of Christ), then we will be enabled to live a life that breaks free from the bondage of sin.
One of the greatest blessings that we as Christians have, is the promised gift of the Holy Spirit. He is the power of God, and He enables us to live the Christian life. The Holy Spirit "jumps" the dead-cell batteries of our lives, and we are therefore free to walk in victory. Maybe you have not been living in that victory this week? I encourage you today to ask the Holy Spirit to empower you and fill you so that you might experience the life of Jesus Christ in every situation and circumstance.