May 25, 2015: SOAP #1999:

Scripture: Romans (NIV) 6:12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13 Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness.

Observation: Since we are dead to sin and no longer under its control we have a responsibility. Since sin no longer has dominion/mastery over us to force us to do its bidding, we have a responsibility. What is that responsibility? It is to refuse to do sin’s bidding. Our responsibility is to ignore its "commands," which to us are no longer "commands." We used to be in such a relationship with sin that we could not refuse, but that has now changed! We now have the power to refuse sin and we need to use that power to resist. It is in obedience to Christ that we find the power to overcome the obedience sin demands.

Application: A slave that has been purchased by a new owner has no responsibility to obey the old owner. The One who purchased me, purchased me because He loved me and desired to set me free. Now I use my freedom to serve Him because I love Him.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I am free to serve you! In response to your love for me, I serve you because I love you. Amen