| Romans 6:15-19 "What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means! Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey-whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. I am using an example from everyday life because of your human limitations. Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness." Our relationship with God is not only under the law, but also under grace. Many people like to wonder whether people would simply commit sin again and again if we put too much emphasis on grace. Actually while you're wondering about the same thing, your relationship with the Lord might still be in the stage under the law. Law asks for action after each command. We have to follow what the law says. But we don't do so out of willingness. The relationship between many believers and God seems to be still at this level. No wonder it is very hard for many people to have spiritual growth, because their relationship with the Lord is merely the cold law. In fact, as someone blessed by God's grace, we have a relationship with the Lord under grace. We are not worthy of God's grace in the first place. But now we are still blessed. How precious and worth thanksgiving it is. Just like a person deep in debt. Suddenly someone is willing to pay off all his debts. Wouldn't he remember this person's benefaction for the whole life? This kind of commemoration doesn't need either the provision of the law, or requirement from someone. Rather, it is a response out of spontaneity and willingness. Likewise is our relationship with God. After we receive such great grace from God, we want to repay naturally. Therefore, verse 17 says: "you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance."That is the response from the bottom of our heart affecting our daily life, so that we will do our best not to let our benefactor get ashamed, isn't it? Brothers and sisters, how is your relationship with God? Some of you may be obedient for the law's sake, while others may do so for their reputation and fame in the church. Some may even do so for more benefits. Surely some people are obedient just out of their love for the Lord and their intention to repay God's grace. Which category do you fall into? May the Lord help us offer ourselves willingly after receiving the grace so as to be God's instrument of righteousness until we are sanctified. 
Pray with Pastor Tong Liu Lord,thank you for blessing us with the grace first. We really want to say:"by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect." May the Lord help us to be able to live for you every day, and become a person that knows to repay the debt of gratitude. We thank you and we pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen! |
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