When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.Yesterday I read Romans 3:10-26 to you and talked about the hope we have - in spite of our sinful condition - because of the big BUT God inserted into history. He sent Jesus. And through Jesus, a righteousness from God came to those who believed. So our journey began.
Romans 6:20-23
Today I want to continue that thought.
With a question.
Who is in control of your life?
You see, at the beginning of time - when God created the world - everything was perfect. There was no sin and mankind was in a perfect relationship with God. But then sin entered the world through disobedience, and that perfect relationship was broken. And from that point on, all of mankind was sinful by nature - unable to be in the relationship with God for which we were created.
From that point on, there was a battle for control. Would we submit to God? Or would we serve our sinful nature?
Romans 6 tells us that we were all slaves to sin at one time. And the result of that slavery is death. Eternal separation from God. Because God is holy, and cannot be in the presence of sin.
BUT everyone who has faith in Jesus has been set free from sin, and is now controlled by God. And the result of that slavery? Eternal life!
I am so thankful for the Gift of God, and for the hope I have in Jesus!
So, I'll ask you again. Who is in control of your life? Are you still a slave to sin? Or have you become a slave to God?
We are all on a journey with Jesus, somehow. It may be that you are walking with Him, or perhaps you've been trying to avoid Him. My hope for today is that you will honestly consider where you are on this journey, and that you'll come back tomorrow so we can talk some more.
13 comments:
Love it girl. But I had to laugh in consideration of my post today. I felt like the question to me is: Are you still wrestling with God over control over your life?! Loathe to admit that at times I stop and get a mental picture of my life as a magazine and God has it in His hands and my hands are opposite tugging it as if to take it out of His! Now, why would I want to do that!? So grateful for Jesus and the price He paid that I can let go and let God have the control! Love ya.
Leslie - If God has a different qeustion for you, I'm not going to argue!
No need to re-learn that lesson. *grin*
That's really powerful, that question. When I really stop and think about WHO is controling my life, I do see areas where I let my sinful nature (stubborness, pride, fear) still be in control. I do want every part of my life though to be controlled by Him. Because my ways only lead to death.
I think a lot of us who have accepted Christ as our Savior realize that we are free from the control of sin, now, but we neglect to take the next step and make Jesus Lord of our lives. It's a growing process but hopefully we realize that things are so much better when we allow Him to be in control.
The last person that needs to be in control is me!
O Mom - And that's what I think we need to do. Really stop and think about it.
It's an every day process isn't it? Giving HIM control? I need to choose to do it every day. Cuz my flesh keeps trying to fight it's way back into the lead!
Jerri - No. I'm the last person who needs to be in control! LOL
You're right. Our relationship with Him doesn't end with salvation. That's only the beginning!
Do you think you can be walking with Jesus and still trying to avoid him at the same time? I'm not doing that, but I was just curious of what you think! Or is it more complicated than that?
Hello, Control Freak Leah here,
Yes, this post certainly does remind me that I need to control less. I'm getting better about it..I really am. However, there are still areas that I need to surrender to Him.
Leah
Gianna - What I mean by walking with Jesus is that you're actively seeking Him, surrendering to His control in your life.
But I think it is entirely possible for a person to have encountered Jesus - even to have entered into a relationship with Him (to have walked with Him) - and to subsequently try to avoid Him.
In that case, they may not be walking with Him anymore, but I believe He'll be pursuing them again.
Leah - Good to see you!
I believe you and I were cut from the same pattern. Needing to control less here, too!
ooooh...I totally agree...this is something that I am trying to be conscious of every minute...letting HIM be in control...I spent way too much time in the past thinking that I controlled my life! I am soooo much better off now, but there continue to be areas where I need the strength & trust to give it ALL up to HIM!
GREAT series for this Holy Week, Karen!!
Patricia
Thankful for the Cross and that it 'chains' me to my Jesus via His love and grace!
As much as I like to say God is completely controlling my life, I know He isn't. I WANT to surrender all, but I CAN'T. It's so hard :) He teaches me time and time again that He's in control, but my sinful nature just won't let go and let God, ya know?? It's so easy for me to try and solve everything myself. I am SO humbled and blessed that I have a God who forgives and forgives and forgives...and who is patient with me over and over again. And I take comfort in knowing that He is ultimately, always in control of my life, whether I feel like He is or not :)
Karen, I want God to be in control of my life, but I am so easily tempted by the glitter of the world and the false assurance that I can do it all.
Patricia - I think we'll always have those areas. But God is patient and gracious, and He'll lead us!
Nichole - Me, too!
Sal - Yes, I do know! I battle with my 'self' way more than I'd like to.
It really is funny, isn't it, when we think we are in control of anything? *grin*
Mike - OK. Thanks.
Angie - I'm so glad you're on this journey with me. And I know what you mean. That false assurance is troubling.
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