Obedient from the Heart
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Obedient from the Heart
People can change — big time. Sometimes we look at someone, shaking our heads and declaring, “He will never change!” That’s our opinion and our opinion does not count.
Sometimes people look at all their own past sins and sadly moan, “I’ll never be able to change. I just don’t have the guts. Everybody will be talking about me.” We can be wrong about ourselves, too.
The people in Rome were accustomed to quite the life of debauchery and dissipation. They thought they were cool with their orgies, loose morals, drunkenness, adulteries, etc. Everybody was doing it and they wanted to be a part of the in-crowd.
Then, along came Paul preaching about our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Paul told them straight out that their lives were headed for eternal hell. Many seriously listened and realized the truth — and became Christians, instead of idol worshipers. But, sometimes these new Christians slipped back into some of their old sins. They needed to be strengthened in God’s truths. So, Paul tells them in Romans 6:17-18,
But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.
The big change was formerly being “slaves of sin” and then becoming “slaves of righteousness”. The big change that happened in their lives can also happen in our lives. We cannot do it all by ourselves. Our own efforts are useless. But, by the grace of God, big changes can happen in our lives — just as in the lives of the Romans.
In verses 22-23, Paul shows them the difference God makes in a person’s life. He says,
But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The big-time changes in our lives can also be like that:
From:
Slavery to sin
The wages of sin is deathTo:
Enslaved to God
Sanctification
Eternal life in heaven
Thinking about it, it shouldn’t be a hard choice. But yet, many choose slavery to sin — maybe because they can’t think beyond the here and now. We need to pray for our Savior to lead us. He’s waiting for us to ask. We need to consider our eternal future.
Then, as we walk with our Lord, we say, “Hallelujah! Lord, it is so wonderful to be free from slavery to sin. With You as my Master, I’m truly free and ever so blessed. Be with me every step of my way.”
Love,
Margaret
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A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and God of gods
This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24
The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.
Psalm 18:30
Sing for joy in the LORD, O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming to the upright.
Psalm 33:1
How blessed are those who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4
Just as a father has compassion on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13
Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1
Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3
Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that
I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12
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