Chrissy's Day 22: Kill off the bad stuff

Summary of Romans 8:1-17

Those who belong to Jesus cannot be condemned! The power of the life-giving spirit has freed you from the power of sin. The law could not save us because of our sinful nature. So God did it. His son came in a body just like ours. Jesus declared an end to sin's control over us. He satisfied the law's need for a sacrifice.

If you are controlled by sin, you think about sinful things, and that leads to death. But if you are controlled by the Holy Spirit then you think about good things, and that leads to life.  Those who are still under the control of sin can never please God.

But listen! You are no longer controlled by sin! You have the Holy Spirit living in you. Remember how God raised Jesus to life? The Holy Spirit will do the same in you!

This means, you don't have to do what your sinful nature tells you to. Instead, every day, kill off those evil desires with the help of the Holy Spirit.

Then you'll really live forever! You'll be a child of God! Because the true children of God are those who let God's Spirit lead them.

As God's children we'll experience Jesus' glory and sufferings.

Reflection

I've been AWOL for a week. Busy etc etc but to be honest I've been sulking. I've been angry and annoyed at God. I've been struggling a bit with Adele and begging God for help. But he hasn't seemed to help. At least not in the way I've been wanting him to. So I've been grumpy and my way of punishing God was to stop doing the lenten project. Petty huh?

Stupid. I think that's the word. Why do I think I can punish God? And why do I think that it will make me feel better? It's some pathetic little power play by me. Me trying to exert control over my own life and show God who's really boss. I'm not really that smart am I?

So I'm looking at verse 9 of this passage. "You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature." I sure feel like I am. And it feels like way to hard to not be controlled by my sinful nature - it's such a strong force and I feel overwhelmed by it.

I'm also pondering verse 13. This is from the Amplified Bible:

For if you live according to [the dictates of] the flesh, you will surely die. But if through the power of the [Holy] Spirit you are [habitually] putting to death (making extinct, deadening) the [evil] deeds prompted by the body, you shall [really and genuinely] live forever.

To me this sounds like: with the help of the Holy Spirit, make a habit of killing off the bad stuff that the sinful part of you wants you to do.

Now that sounds more do-able. It's an every day thing. Not just once off, wave your wand 'bing!' now you're a goodie and you'll never want to do dumb stuff again. No, instead it is every day, looking at your life and choosing to deaden the things that don't please God. But the best part is I don't have to do it alone by my own strength! I'll do it by the strength and wisdom and power (love that word) of the Holy Spirit.

This is what I haven't been doing this past week...

Prayer

Dear God,

I come to you humbled and sinful.
I've been rebelling this week. Trying to exert my puny authority. Trying to teach you a lesson.

I'm sorry. It was stupid. Please forgive me.

Help me to put to death my sinful desires. Please remind me that I need to do this every day.
I want you to control me.

I want to be your servant, your vessel.

Amen

x
Chrissy