Day 18:
I’m trusting that if you have made it this far you have now completed the Book of Romans.
Firstly, well done.
Secondly, what are you going to do with all the amazing truth that you have consumed?
I think there are a few key things you can do:
1. Look over your notes
2. Pray
3. Write some action plans
4. Action those plans
I love Romans 8 when the Apostle Paul is urging the people to live a life led by the Holy Spirit instead of a life led by our fleshly desires. He writes:
Romans 8:12-17 NIV
[12] Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation – but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. [13] For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. [14] For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. [15] The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” [16] The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. [17] Now if we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
I think if we can grasp this alone from the book of Romans it can change your life forever.
1. If you live a life led by the Holy Spirit, you put to death the desires of the flesh.
2. You choose LIFE!
3. Life led by the Spirit enables you to be called a Child of God.
4. We don’t live as slaves or live in fear.
5. But we know we are adopted (hand picked, selected, chosen) to be Children of God.
6. As well as being Children, we are also heirs to God’s Kingdom with Christ.
Sometimes things need to die. (This maybe sounds blunt) but it’s true. And maybe there are mindsets, thoughts, patterns of behaviour, things you are doing that you know aren’t God’s best for you. Well, today is the day to leave those things behind. To choose instead to live a life led by the Spirit.
It’s a chance to stand as a son or daughter of God, to align your life with Him and live as a chosen heir!
Pray this prayer:
Holy Spirit, I welcome you into my life. Come and make me new today. I acknowledge my sin and today I’m making a choice to turn from it and live a life that honours you. I’m putting to death the desires of my flesh and I’m choosing today to have the mindset of Christ. I’m making the declaration that I am a Child of God and today I chose to live in sonship not fear.
Ps Ed Winbow
Penrith cCampus Pastor