Romans 6:14-16a NLB
“Sin need never again be your master, for now you are no longer tied to the law where sin enslaves you, but you are free under God’s favor and mercy. Does this mean that now we can go ahead and sin and not worry about it? (For our salvation does not depend on keeping the law, but on receiving God’s grace!) Of course not! Don’t you realize you can choose your own master? You can choose sin (with death) or else obedience (with acquittal)
So, as I said yesterday, when tempted to follow our propensities, we need to refocus! Quick! Before our thoughts of ice cream and chocolate fudge syrup get the best of us! You see, what we think about it is what we will do. Paul gave us the secret in verse 14, when he reminds us we are free from sin…from poor choices… after we’ve received God’s forgiveness through Christ Jesus.
But we forget that we are free.
Like the baby elephant named Dufus, a cute and energetic little guy, born into the circus. At birth, the keeper chained Dufus to a stake in the ground. With a desire for freedom, he pulled against the chain and felt the painful resistance. Having no idea God created him to overcome the resistance, Dufus soon submitted to the insignificant power of the chain. He gave up his freedom and submitted to a lie.
The lie we often submit to is one straight from the pit of hell! You know, the lie that says we can’t break free from the chains of our past, or the sin that beckons us today. Unlike the circus elephant, we can know the truth, and that truth will set us free! The truth is this: Jesus already paid the price for our sin, and the moment we accept Him, He sets us free. Our chains to sin have been broken. The power to overcome is in us, in the power of the Holy Spirit.
“Sin need never again be your master, for now you are no longer tied to the law where sin enslaves you, but you are free under God’s favor and mercy.”
So, let’s you and I not be a Dufus. Let’s recognize that we are free from the power of sin. We are not tied to it anymore. Because once the Son has set us free – we are free indeed!
Until next time,
Your Traveling Partner,
Brenda
And what is it about a banana split – which I’ve never even liked – that becomes a powerful craving the day I commit to losing a few pounds? Ah-ha! Paul warned us about that too. He understood when he said, 
In this verse, Jesus gives a clear and simple command – “Now go.” You may be familiar with the Great Commission found in Matthew 28:19-20, “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always even to the end of the age (NLT).” It’s time we take this command seriously and obey. Although these verses are often used to reference foreign missions, we must not forget that every day we live on a mission field that is ready for harvest – NOW. Today, pray that God would open our eyes to the needs of those around us. Ask Him to create an urgency within us to see our family, friends, and neighbors receive God’s free gift of salvation.