May 25, 2021: SOAP #4191:  1Kings 10, 11; 2Chronicles 9; Romans 6

SCRIPTURE:  Romans (NIV) 6:1 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning, so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 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.

OBSERVATION: The sovereign God created man with the ability to choose.  It is in man’s choices that God is glorified. What a wonderful opportunity we have, to bring glory and honor to God, to choose to obey Him, even though we do not see Him, yet we are so convinced of His existence and of His desires that we place Him above all else in our lives.

As to our past “sins” (actions) , Jesus died to pay for them.  They are forgiven.  As to our present struggle with “sin” (nature that tends toward disobedience), we must die.  Water baptism is our statement that we are counting ourselves dead to “sin.”  But to live out our confession, we must rely on the Spirit that is now present in our lives.  Victory does not come through relying on the strength of our confession or will power, but acknowledging that we have no power, we rely on Him, who has all power!

When Paul speaks of life, there is one key ingredient without which victory over sin is impossible:  the presence of the Holy Spirit.

APPLICATION:  I may come close, but I cannot imitate my brother’s life, nor can he imitate mine.  Only I can live my life.  And the same is true with living like Jesus.  I cannot do it on my own.  If Jesus wants me to live like Him, He must come and live His own life in me!  AND THAT’S WHAT HE DOES!!!  Jesus lived His life in the power of the Holy Spirit, and He has given me the same Holy Spirit to live in me the life He lived through Jesus!!!  WOW!!! 

PRAYER: Jesus, the key to our new life in you is allowing you to live your life in me.  Jesus, be Jesus in me!  Fill me with your Holy Spirit.  I submit myself to you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!