Day 167, Romans 6
I suggest you read this whole chapter out loud.
Twice!
Because the truths Paul arranges here are SO fundamental, and SO transformative. And speaking them out loud makes them more real in our lives.
This is perhaps the greatest of Paul’s letters (which may be why it appears first in most lists of canonical epistles). And we are reading one of the greatest sections of this great letter over the next three days. The banner theme is the freedom of the gospel: the extravagantly generous gift of God to free us from our old master, sin, and the wages paid by that master - death.
Now we belong to a new master, who gives us freedom, righteousness, and eternal life!
The old master is defeated and disarmed, but is not yet dead, so we have a choice: to which master will we listen? Which will we obey? As Paul promises, “if you choose to love and obey God, he will lead you into perfect righteousness.”
Holiness is a choice to surrender to a loving master, Jesus, rather than the old slave-owner, sin. Holiness is not a work in progress that we must strive to maintain. Holiness is a free gift from our divine lover.
More of this glorious freedom tomorrow!
Have a great day!
Mark.