From Dream to Deliverance
Wednesday, September 8, 2004
My Prayer Today
Dear Jesus, I thank You for the cross! Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I admit that I am a wreck without You. I need Your grace and Your power to overcome temptation in my life. I am so thankful that I do not have to battle sin alone. Forgive me for the times when I try to do things on my own and do not humbly submit my sinful nature to Your cross. I ask that You would help me to live in victory today over sin as I always keep the cross before me. I ask this all in Your name . . .Amen.
God's Word For Me Today
Romans 7:21-8:4
7:21 "It seems to be a fact of life that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. 22 I love God's law with all my heart. 23 But there is another law at work within me that is at war with my mind. This law wins the fight and makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. 24 Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will set me free from this life that is dominated by sin? 25 Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ out Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God's law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin."
8:1 "So now there is now no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. 2 For the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you through Christ Jesus from the power of sin that leads to death. 3 The law of Moses could not save us, because of our sinful nature. But God put into effect a different plan to save us. He sent his own Son in a human body like ours, except that ours are sinful. God destroyed sin's control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. 4 He did this so that the requirement of the law would be fully accomplished for us who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit."
Reflecting on God’s Word
What question does Paul ask in Romans 7:24?
According to verse 25, what is his answer?
At the end of verse 25, what is the problem that Paul experienced while trying to follow the Old Testament Law?
A Deeper Exploration of God’s Word
What are the two "laws" Paul gives in verse 25?
How are these two laws opposed to one another?
What is the purpose of the Old Testament law? (Read Romans 7:7-13)
Understanding God’s Word
How does Jesus free us from a life that is dominated by sin?
Should we be enslaved to sin after accepting Jesus Christ in our lives? Why or why not?
Why do we fail to conqueror sin in our lives after we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior?
Applying God’s Word to Our Lives
Have you accepted Jesus Christ in your life as your Savior? If so, when?
Have you notice a change in your lifestyle since you received Jesus? How so?
Is there any sin currently keeping you in bondage? What do you do when you are tempted?
Thoughts...
As long as we live on this earth we will always be tempted. If you will remember Jesus, He was tempted as He wandered in the wilderness for 40 days. Temptation is not a sin in itself, only when we give in to it, it becomes sin. As followers of Jesus Christ, we cannot escape the fact that we will be tempted and that we have a sinful nature. Occasionally, that sinful nature takes over our mind and body. The truth is, however, it does not have to! When we accept Jesus Christ into our lives as our Lord and Savior, the power of the cross breaks the curse and the power of sin in our lives. Sin, though it may remain, it does not reign in the life Many times we experience what Paul experienced before he became a Christian. We endure the misery of a defeated life of sin. We try to escape sin on our own and fall short. In Romans 7:25 Paul finally gives the answer, "Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord!" Jesus Christ is the solution from our life of sin. His death upon the cross freed us from the dominion of sin, and provided us a way of victory through the power of the Holy Spirit. Our ability to conqueror sin will be contingent, not merely upon will power or disciple, but rather upon our surrender to the cross. When we become "crucified with Christ," our sinful nature no longer has dominion over us. As you are tempted today, run immediately to the cross -- for you will find your victory there!