Scripture
4 So, my brothers and sisters, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God. 5 For when we were in the realm of the flesh,[a] the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in us, so that we bore fruit for death. 6 But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.
Reflection
After nearly 40 years of living in the United States, my mother in law recently became a citizen of the US. For many reasons it was an amazing and emotional moment for our family. First, it meant that she was now fully recognized as a citizen of the country she had lived most her life in. Second, it meant she could now come visit us here in China and not encounter any political or legal issues. She was bound by the very laws that protected her as a political refugee and in one moment (upon her being sworn in as a citizen of the United States of America) she had been released by that old code and a new way of living was immediately opened to her! When Jesus died and rose again, He released us from those very things that meant to keep us safe but it also showed us that we could not do it on our own. We needed a savior. That’s the importance of salvation to a believer. Salvation is what allows us to live in the new way of the Spirit. It’s what allows us to be free from the things that once kept us bound or defined us. Salvation is our citizenship into the Kingdom of God (Josh).
Thoughts for the day
- What do you feel God is telling you through this passage?
- How will you apply what God is telling you in your life today?
- Is there someone you feel you need to tell this message to?
Prayer
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28. Be still and allow the presence of Jesus to bring you rest right now.
