“So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to Him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.” – Romans 8:1-2 (NLT)
“Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your minds leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.” – Romans 8:5-6
“Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.” – Romans 8:12-14
I feel like Paul drives the point home so well in these passages. You either are controlled by your sinful nature, and therefore you choose death, OR you are controlled and led by the Holy Spirit, and therefore choosing life. There is no middle ground. There is no “gray area” here. It is simply (and it really is quite simple) black and white. So every person who wants to say, “I’m just a sinner saved by grace,” they are choosing to remain in their old identity before they came to Christ. In Christ, you are a new creation. Meaning, you are no longer considered a sinner in the eyes of God. You are a child of the Most High! THIS is where our identities now rest.
We as believers have the ability and the power to see the temptation to sin and say, “No, I am not controlled by you so I will not give in to you. Away from me!” We have His Spirit inside of us, which means we have His glory inside of us, everywhere we go. So why don’t we actually walk in that glory and the power of the Holy Spirit, which sets us on the path of a new life in Him?
“And having chosen them, He called them to come to Him. And having called them, He gave them right standing with Himself. And having given them right standing, He gave them His glory.” – Romans 8:30
This has got to be our anthem! This has got to be the reality that we live in. We were called to Him, given right standing with Him, and now we have His glory in us.
The question I have for you today is, have you stepped into this reality? And if not, what is stopping you?
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