Theology for Everybody: RomansSample

(Continued from Day 122)

c. It changes your desires. Paul wrote, “Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means!” (Romans 6:1–2). God not only changes your relationship with Him, but He also changes your nature, which changes your desires. This is the secret of the Christian life that non-Christians can’t understand. When God changes your desires, your desires are now the Spirit’s desires, and that helps you to walk in newness of life. The Christian life is not what you have to do but what you get to do. It’s what you want to do. Once God has united (grafted) you into Christ, then Christ’s desires are your desires. Again, you’re not perfect, but you are new. In his letter to the Galatians, Paul says, “The desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do” (5:17). And in Romans 7, Paul writes, “I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out” (v. 18). The apostle is frustrated because he wants to do what God made him to do, but he needs help. This help comes from the Holy Spirit. For the non-Christian, the deepest desires are for sin. For the Christian, the deepest desires are for Jesus and holiness.

d. It gives you the Holy Spirit’s power. Through the Holy Spirit, we have the power to say yes to God and no to sin. It’s a power we previously did not have. Some people make decisions and find themselves shocked that they actually have the authority to say yes to God and no to sin. (Continued on Day 124 ...)

Today’s Reflection

What is your favorite aspect of God’s grace?