Bible League: Living His Word For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.— Colossians 2:12 NLT If you're a Christian, then there's a part of you that has died. It is spiritual death. The old you, the sinful nature, is dead. What the Apostle Paul often refers to metaphorically as "the flesh," is dead. When it was still alive, it controlled your desires and led you down pathways that were at odds with the will and ways of God. Spiritually, the old nature died on the cross with Jesus Christ. Paul puts it this way, "My old self has been crucified with Christ" (Galatians 2:20). Your baptism symbolized the spiritual death and burial of your sinful self with Christ. Your baptism also symbolized the resurrection of the new you with Christ. The new you is the Spirit-led nature that came to life with Christ. Paul goes on to say, "It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me." Within the soul of every Christian there's a struggle between the old and the new, between the old, sinful self and the new bondage-free self which is led by the Spirit of Christ Jesus. Paul says, "The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions" (Galatians 5:17). Despite the struggle, the victory we have in Christ Jesus cannot be taken from us. In the end with strength from the Spirit, the new you can overcome the old you. Any gains the flesh may have achieved are just temporary. Ultimately, they are overcome by the victory of the new person you are in Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57). Like Paul says in our verse for today, you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead. Therefore, the new you wins. No residual stains from the old you can ever change that. In fact, God does not even see your stains, because you are washed and made white as snow (Psalm 51:7)! Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingExodus 22, 23, 24 Exodus 22 -- Property Rights and Social Laws NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Exodus 23 -- Laws of Justice, Mercy, Sabbath, Annual Festivals, Conquest NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Exodus 24 -- The People Affirm Their Covenant with God NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Matthew 20:17-34 Matthew 20 -- Parable of the Vineyard Workers; Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection, Heals Two Blind Men NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion Oh, the joys of those who do notfollow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. Insight This psalm begins extolling the joys of obeying God and refusing to listen to those who discredit or ridicule him. Our friends and associates can have a profound influence on us, often in very subtle ways. If we insist on friendships with those who mock what God considers important, we might sin by becoming indifferent to God's will. This attitude is the same as mocking. Challenge Do your friends build up your faith, or do they tear it down? True friends should help you to draw closer to God, not hinder your relationship with him. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon 2 Samuel 5:24 When thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, then thou shalt bestir thyself.The members of Christ's Church should be very prayerful, always seeking the unction of the Holy One to rest upon their hearts, that the kingdom of Christ may come, and that his "will be done on earth, even as it is in heaven;" but there are times when God seems especially to favor Zion, such seasons ought to be to them like "the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees." We ought then to be doubly prayerful, doubly earnest, wrestling more at the throne than we have been wont to do. Action should then be prompt and vigorous. The tide is flowing--now let us pull manfully for the shore. O for Pentecostal outpourings and Pentecostal labors. Christian, in yourself there are times "when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees." You have a peculiar power in prayer; the Spirit of God gives you joy and gladness; the Scripture is open to you; the promises are applied; you walk in the light of God's countenance; you have peculiar freedom and liberty in devotion, and more closeness of communion with Christ than was your wont. Now, at such joyous periods when you hear the "sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees," is the time to bestir yourself; now is the time to get rid of any evil habit, while God the Spirit helpeth your infirmities. Spread your sail; but remember what you sometimes sing-- "I can only spread the sail; Thou! Thou! must breathe the auspicious gale." Only be sure you have the sail up. Do not miss the gale for want of preparation for it. Seek help of God, that you may be more earnest in duty when made more strong in faith; that you may be more constant in prayer when you have more liberty at the throne; that you may be more holy in your conversation whilst you live more closely with Christ. Daily Light on the Daily Path Hebrews 12:1,2 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, • fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.Luke 9:23 And He was saying to them all, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. Luke 14:33 "So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions. Romans 13:12 The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 1 Corinthians 9:25,27 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. • but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified. Philippians 3:13,14 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, • I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Hosea 6:3 "So let us know, let us press on to know the LORD. His going forth is as certain as the dawn; And He will come to us like the rain, Like the spring rain watering the earth." New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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