Daily Devotions

Today’s Bible reading is Romans chapter 7

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

God’s Commandments are holy, good, and pure. Our attempts to obey God’s Commandments in our flesh are futile. Religious effort to earn salvation by good works will fail. In my flesh I cannot please God. I need spiritual birth and new life in order to be set free from sin and live for God. Only God’s grace can provide the freedom and power to overcome my sin. God’s Law exposes the weakness of our flesh. Paul stated, “Nothing good dwells in me.” He came to the conclusion that in his flesh there was no way he could satisfy the Law and achieve righteousness. Paul said of himself, “Oh wretched man that I am!” It isn’t just hard to earn salvation by works, it is impossible! Who will deliver us from this sinful state and spiritual enslavement to sin since we cannot deliver ourselves? Paul said, “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” We can only be saved by grace through faith in Jesus. Through His death, burial, and resurrection Jesus achieved our salvation. Salvation is a gift to be received not achieved. When Christ enters our hearts by faith then we are made free and enabled by the Holy Spirit to keep God’s commands.

Prayer: “Dear Father in heaven, thank You for the Spirit of life who dwells in us by faith in Jesus Christ, help us to enjoy our freedom in Christ today by walking in obedience to Your commands. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron