How many steps do you think you’ll take on this last day of 2023?
For several years I wore a Fitbit and it was a constant reminder that I wasn’t getting enough steps.
Physical accomplishments are important because they help us stay strong and healthy, we all know that. But do we give the same recognition to our spiritual growth and activity?
“Training your body helps you in some ways. But devotion to God helps you in every way. It brings you blessings in this life and in the future life too.” I Timothy 4:8 ERV
This morning part of my Bible reading took me to Romans 6. Have I mentioned that I love the book of Romans? (Spend some time reading & studying this book.) The Romans prided themselves in being forward thinkers and specimens of physical strength. The Roman soldiers were highly trained and disciplined.
Now that they were coming to faith in Christ Paul’s letter was like a training manual for them spiritually.
“We know that our old life, our old sinful self, was nailed to the cross with Christ. And so the power of sin that held us was destroyed. Sin is no longer our boss. 7 When a man is dead, he is free from the power of sin. 8 And if we have died with Christ, we believe we will live with Him also. 9 We know that Christ was raised from the dead. He will never die again. Death has no more power over Him. 10 He died once but now lives. He died to break the power of sin, and the life He now lives is for God. 11 You must do the same thing! Think of yourselves as dead to the power of sin. But now you have new life because of Jesus Christ our Lord. You are living this new life for God.
12 So do not let sin have power over your body here on earth. You must not obey the body and let it do what it wants to do. 13 Do not give any part of your body for sinful use. Instead, give yourself to God as a living person who has been raised from the dead. Give every part of your body to God to do what is right. 14 Sin must not have power over you. You are not living by the Law. You have life because of God’s loving-favor.” Romans 6:6-14 NLV
“Think of yourselves as dead to the power of sin.” “ Sin must not have power over you. You are not living by the Law. You have life because of God’s loving-favor.“
When we have new life in Christ, we die to our old life and become a whole new being.
“ For if a man belongs to Christ, he is a new person. The old life is gone. New life has begun.” II Corinthians 5:17 NLV
Consider this. A dead body, a corpse has no power of its own. It has to be carried from place to place and can be manipulated by the one holding it. The only real power it has is to stink as it decays.
Our old life, our life before Christ is dead. One translation says it has passed away and all things become new.
If you have been struggling with a fear, an emotion, a habit that has been holding you back turn it over to God and let Him show you the victory that He has provided.
“Trust the Lord completely, and don’t depend on your own knowledge. 6 With every step you take, think about what he wants, and he will help you go the right way.” Proverbs 3:5-6 ERV
Take the first step, trust the Lord completely and then walk free into the New Year.