We are reading the Bible through together this year, using the Discipleship Journal Reading Plan published by the Navigators. You can download it free of charge from: https://www.navigators.org/resource/bible-reading-plans/

Today’s 4 readings are: Matthew 24:15-35; Romans 7:1-12; Psalm 57, Numbers 23-25.

Our Romans passage today carries vital information for the Believer on 2 counts. I cannot stress how important this passage is to the way Christians need to think.

Note that it is not the Law which dies, but that we die to it. It is essential that we grasp Paul’s language here and not convolute it into saying what it does not say. And, it is the very same with sin. The text DOES NOT say sin dies or that we can kill it. It says WE die to sin. Indwelling sin does not die, but we die to having to obey its influence. So many live in constant discouragement that they cannot make sin die within them altogether. But that is not for this age. Such freedom is reserved for the age to come. For this age, it is enough that while sin remains within us, and while it will continue to voice its desires throughout our lives, we can learn to turn a deaf ar to its pleas – we can die to it. We HAVE died to it in Christ.

If you Christian, have imagined some state of being now, in this life, where sin will not still stir within and continue its attempt to gain the ascendency in your life, you are mistaken. Trying to arrive at such a place will drive you to despair. That is an impossible battle and to waste your time and energy trying to get to that place will distract and exhaust you from fighting the real battle: Dying to sin. Learning to turn a deaf ear to its false promises. Refusing to answer when it knocks at the door of your heart. Know that because of your union with Christ you are no longer under compulsion to respond. And flee to Him in thanksgiving in such hours. Your own voice in thanksgiving and praise can drown out the siren song of sin.

And make no mistake, this takes a perpetual reminding ourselves of the reality of our death in union with Jesus. We do not retain this knowledge as a static reality easily. We must come back to the Word over and over and over to read it afresh and keep our hearts alive in the truth of it.