The Benevolent Atmosphere

Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness.   – Romans 6:13 

Neil Armstrong’s flight to the moon in July 1969 included his steps on the moon’s surface, only possible because of the space suit he wore that protected him from the environment in which he otherwise would not have been able to survive. 

Do you realize that, as a believer in Christ as your Savior, you are clothed in His righteousness? God’s grace is a gift. The apostle Paul helps you check your thoughts about this gift in Romans 6:1, “Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?” God’s grace brings transformation so that your words become edifying, your hands generous instead of grasping, and your thoughts reflect God’s heart for others to bless and comfort.

Theologian and author Dr. Stuart Briscoe writes: “The believer must understand that ‘in Christ’ he is no longer totally at the mercy of the inhospitable environment of sin but is alive to all the power and life of God Himself… the believer must make some decisions to ‘let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body.’” You can now present “your members to God as instruments for righteousness” (Romans 6:12-13). Use your tongue to say something encouraging and helpful… to share your faith in Christ. Serve others with loving kindness. 

You live in the “benevolent atmosphere of the grace of God,” as Briscoe says. You are justified by faith and released from the bondage of sin. Pray now that the leaders of this nation come to know the saving grace of God and then seek to do His will in all things. 

Today’s Verse: Romans 6:13

Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. 

All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Recommended for further reading: James 4:1-10

What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? 2 You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. 4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? 6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. 

All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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