Date: Tuesday 27th February, 2018.
Topic: Life that Pleases Him
Bible Reading: Romans 8: 1–8 (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®. Copyright © 2016 by Crossway Bibles.)
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.
For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh,
in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.
For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.
For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot.
Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
Word for Today: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” – v. 1.
Inspiring Commentary:
The Holy Spirit, as the initiator of the new life, is the One who will ensure that we can keep the standards that this life demands of us, as individuals whose way of life differs from those around us. Otherwise, we would be drawn by the same forces and make our judgements on the same criteria, which inevitably will set us at variance and conflict with God's standards.
We should therefore take the opportunity of the times of study, prayer and closeness to God during this period to resolve these conflicts in us and in relation with others. The laws of God are holy and good and they are there for us to help us attain the standards expected of the children of God. Read 1 John 5:4–5 and see how instead of being swallowed up you can overcome the world.
This is where having good models as mentors and friends can help us meet the standards of God. Our growth as Christians come about in two ways: first, remaining engrafted in Christ, as Paul says, "be imitators of me as I am of Christ" (1 Corinthians 11:1) and secondly, like apprentices learning crafts, we watch how the life is lived and learn to create our own unique styles based on the principles of being obedient to the word of God.
Prayer: Lord, please help me to yield to Your Spirit who is the initiator of life, so that I might live to glorify You.