AUGUST 5, 2014
Breaking
Free
Read: Romans
8:1-11
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ
Jesus. —Romans
8:1
The elephant is the
largest land animal on earth—and one of the most powerful. Yet it takes only a
strong rope to restrain one. Here’s how it works. When the elephant is young,
he is tied to a large tree. For weeks, he will strain and pull, but the rope holds
him fast. So eventually he gives up.
Then, when the
elephant reaches his full size and strength, he won’t struggle to get free, for
once he feels resistance, he stops. He still believes he’s held captive and
can’t break free.
Satan can play a
similar trick on us to hold us captive. The Bible assures us that there is “no
condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the
flesh, but according to the Spirit” (Rom. 8:1). We have been set “free from the
law of sin and death” (v.2). But the enemy of our soul tries to make us believe
we are still dominated by sin.
What shall we do then?
Reflect on what Christ has done. He died for our sins and declared an end to
sin’s control over us (v.3). He rose from the dead and gave us the Holy Spirit.
Now we are empowered to live victoriously in Him because “the Spirit of Him who
raised Jesus from the dead dwells in [us]” (v.11).
In Christ, we are set
free.
He has our salvation
wrought,
He our captive souls
has bought,
He has reconciled to
God,
He has washed us in
His blood. —Wesley
Experience true
freedom— take every thought captive in obedience to Christ.
Insight
Though Paul did not
plant the church at Rome, his letter to them became foundational not only for
their spiritual understanding, but—in many ways—for ours as well. Paul’s
theology of salvation and call to response resonate with gratitude to his
Savior.
Source:
Our Daily Bread 2012
