ESOCS Devotional 6 September
TEXT: Romans 7: 1-12
MEMORY VERSE: “But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.” Romans 7:6 KJV
Law is the system of rules, which a particular country or community recognizes as regulating the actions of its members and which it may enforce by the imposition of penalties. It is the “Science of justice” and the “Art of Justice.” It regulates and ensures adherence to the will of the state. The law serves four principal purposes (i) To establish standards (ii) To maintain order (iii) To resolve disputes (iv) To protect liberties and rights. It is the guidepost for minimally acceptable behaviour in society.
The Ten Commandments (the Law) given by God to Moses for the Israelites regulated their behaviour. Jesus did not come to abolish the law or the prophets but to perfect it (Matt 5:17). Some people believe they can earn their way to God by keeping a set of rules, laws, and customs of Christianity and attending church faithfully, or doing good works. But from our text, Paul wrote that in the present dispensation, the law is powerless to save the sinner (Romans 7:7-14), the law keeper (Romans 7: 15-22), and even the man with the new nature (Romans 7: 23-25). The sinner is condemned by the law; the law keeper cannot live up to it; and the man with the new nature finds his obedience to law sabotaged by the effects of his old nature.
Read yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
Like Paul, we can find no relief in the synagogue or church until we look unto Jesus Christ Himself for salvation. Paul declared that salvation cannot be found by obeying the law. No matter who we are, only Jesus Christ can set us free. By His sacrifice, the way to God is already open, and we become His children by simply putting our faith in Him. No longer are we saved by just keeping rules, we can become more and more like Jesus as we live with Him day by day.
The Holy Spirit turns our eyes away from our own performance but toward Jesus. He frees us to serve God out of love and gratitude. We are united with Christ, so we now serve God, not by obeying a set of rules, but out of renewed hearts and minds that overflow with love for Him. Since we are now united with Christ, His spirit enables us to produce good deeds for God. This is living in the newness of spirit. The law is powerless to save man. Let us rely fully on Christ, and not on keep the law, for our eternal salvation.
CHALLENGES
- Are you bothered, burdened by the old rules, and still live under its bondage?
PRAYER POINT:
- Pray to God for the newness of spirit to enable you be united with Christ to serve God.
FURTHER READING:Matthew 5: 17- 48; Romans 7:14-25; Romans 8:1-15
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ESOCS Devotional 6 September
