Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:
Romans 6:1-14 (NIV)
Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ
6 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We are those who have 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.5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— 7 because anyone who has died has been set free from sin. 8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. 10 The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. 11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 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. 14 For sin shall no longer be your master because you are not under the law but under grace.
What is Paul’s short answer to the addict who says that he is a slave to his habit?
Paul’s answer would be that Christ has already paid the price for the addict’s addiction and that it is necessary for the addict to focus on the new life purchased for him and leave the sin I the past.
Heavenly Father what a blessed and beautiful reminder you have placed in this scripture. You have died for my sins and the sins of the world. Sometimes I forget how many times I sin against you not intentionally but by not focusing on you and what you have done for me. I may not be a drug addict or killer, yet I know that my words or actions don’t always reflect the grace you have given me. Lord help me to be living with an attitude of gratitude each and every day. I pray for your Holy Spirit to steer me away from temptation and weakness. I offer my mind, body, and soul for your service and glory. Make me an instrument of your peace, joy, and grace. Amen
(Today’s prayer submitted by Jo Schneider)