August 04, 2021: To Begin to Live in Christ We Must Be Willing to Die to Our Own "Self-Will" Daily.

I have enjoyed reading the Book of Romans over the years of my Christian walk, especially Chapter 7. This chapter brings out in the open to why "sin" continually over-powers our life on a continual basis.

Chapter 7 addresses the Law of God and the purpose of the Law..."Apart from the law sin was dead", (v. 8). It was because of the Law, that sin was made alive in me. Apart from it, I did not know sin.

Romans 7: 7-8 (NKJV)

What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, “You shall not covet.” 8 But sin, taking opportunity by the commandment, produced in me all manner of evil desire. For apart from the law sin was dead.

The chapter goes on to address our struggle with sin in our lives because we now know of the "Law", and that "sin" is constantly a battle in our lives. As Christians, we know we hate to sin, but we continually sin because the Law of God makes it more evident because of the Law.

So, what can we do as "Christians" if we do not want to sin any longer and become "alive in Christ" and live a more "restful" life with God? We must be willing to "die to self" daily, moment-by-moment. As stated in Galatians, "It is no longer I who live, but Christ live in me".

Galatians 2: 20 (NKJV)

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

As we come to recognize the "wretched sinners" that we are, we must fall to knees and fully and "absolutely surrender" ourselves to our Lord. It is because of what He did for us on the "Cross of Calvary" that we are now able to stand before our God, in confidence as a forgiven child of His. It is not for what we can do for God...It is what He has already done for us through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Romans 7: 24 (NKJV)

O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!

PERSONNAL COMMENT:

Let us begin to "live in Christ" fully as He intended for us to live. Let us "die-to-self" to daily and "surrender" all or ourselves to Him so that the "peace of God" may dwell in our hearts.