NT Fire Starters – Day 213: Romans 6:15-7:6

READ: Romans 6:15–7:6

THINK: A lot of people think that they aren’t getting what they deserve in life. For Jesus’ followers, this is certainly true–and that’s a good thing. What all people really deserve for going their own way and defying God is death (6:23) and eternal separation from God. But Jesus paid that penalty for us, and because of His sacrifice, God offers the gift of forgiveness and eternal life to all who accept and entrust their lives to Him.

RESPOND: Does the fact that Jesus’ followers are “under grace” mean that they don’t need to be concerned about sin or that they can sin without punishment? Why or why not? (See 6:15 note.) What can happen if a Christian stops resisting sin’s influence or persistently chooses to defy God? (See 6:16 note.) What “form of teaching” (v. 17) did Jesus’ followers in the early church trust to guide their conduct? (See 6:17 note.) Where can Christians today find the standards and patterns God has given to guide their lives? What does it mean to “become slaves to righteousness” (v. 18) and “slaves to God” (v. 22)? How does this lead to “holiness” (v. 19, 22), which means moral purity, personal integrity, spiritual wholeness, separation from evil and dedication to God? What’s the differences between a wage and a gift? In what way is death earned? (See 6:23 note.) In what way is eternal life a gift, and how does a person receive it? What does it mean that Jesus’ followers have “died to the law through the body of Christ”? (See 7:4 note.) Why do people naturally tend to defy the law–particularly God’s law? How does receiving Jesus and living with the Holy Spirit’s power alter that tendency and change a person’s attitudes about God’s law? What does it mean to “bear fruit to God” (v. 4), and “serve in the new way of the Spirit” (v. 6)?

PRAY: Ask God to keep you sober about the sinful tendencies of your human nature and to help you follow the pattern of His Word to overcome sin and fulfill His purposes. Give God thanks for not giving you the punishment you deserve for sin, but giving you instead the priceless gift of eternal life through faith in Jesus.

ACT: Ask God to expose any area in your life in which you may be taking His grace for granted and toying with sin. Then rely on His help to deal with that issue and to replace it with something that will benefit you spiritually.