ENCOURAGEMENT FOR THE DAY

The Sinful Nature, Rendered Inoperative Romans 6:6b so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin... In our passage today, the words "done away with" are translated from the Greek word "katargeo" which means "to render inoperative". This does not mean the body of sin has been destroyed -- rather it's just become paralyzed. Now when the sinful nature screams in our heads: "Have a beer, smoke another cigarette, give in to that fantasy, or lose your temper " -- Paul tells us it that although it can make as much noise as it wants, it is completely powerless to control us. It can whine and cry -- it just can't act. It has no power. The Cross turned the sinful nature (our body of sin) into a paraplegic -- it has been "rendered inoperative." As a young man when I first read this passage, I didn't get it. I thought: "There must be something wrong with me -- perhaps I'm not a Christian." Why? Because I thought once I became a Christian I wouldn't have sinful thoughts any more. As we all know, that is not the case. With greater study I finally realized what it means to no longer be a slave to sin. The sinful nature might talk to me -- but I don't have to listen. To whom do you listen: the sinful nature or the Lord Jesus Christ? Some feel they are powerless over their impulses and addictions. That is not the case. Jesus is the ultimate "One Step Program." We have been given freedom in Christ. Will you deafen your ears the next time the sinful nature screams to serve it? POCKETPOWER.ORG