August 3, 2006 - Psalms 63-65 and Romans 6
When we come to have a relationship with Christ, He sets us free from being slaves to sin. Our freedom means that now we have a choice. The Holy Spirit lives in us, and He empowers us to do God's will. Therefore, if we follow Him, we will do the right things. We still live in the flesh, though. If we follow the flesh, instead of the Spirit, we will do the wrong things. This is part of our freedom. We are free choose whom we will follow each day.
In Psalm 63 David makes it clear that it is his choice to follow close behind the Lord. (v.8) He is constantly seeking the Lord in the morning and in the evening. (v.1,6) He is not just having an unhurried time, he is walking with the Lord. That is the only way to be free. We must submit to the Lord, and He will set us free to do the right thing. Otherwise, we are bound to do the wrong thing, which is sin.
Psalm 64 describes one aspect of sin. It lies in the tongue. What we speak can be a sin. The words can proceed from our mouths out of pride or in an effort to hurt others. We might think we can control other people, but our own words will come back to trap us. (v.8) Sinning with our words is just as serious as any other kind of sin. We must ask the Spirit to control our speech, or we will not be free. We will be bound up in the tangled web of our own words.
In Psalm 65 David speaks of God's atonement for sin. Only God can forgive sin. We must go to Him and ask for forgiveness. Ultimately, it was Jesus who died to atone for our sins, so we must trust Him to forgive us. However, we also must realize that God wants to satisfy us completely in life. (v.4) He does not want to forgive our sins and turn us loose. He wants to care for us. This psalm is a wonderful depiction of Him caring for us as He cares for the whole earth and provides for all of its needs. Let Jesus satisfy your soul, instead of trying to do it yourself.
Romans 6 is the main passage that deals with spiritual freedom in the Bible. When we are saved, we die to sin, so why should we continue to sin? The answer is that we choose to sin after we are saved. We don't have to sin, but we can choose to sin. We have no excuse, because we have the Spirit to empower us and to guide us. However, once we are saved, we should choose to present our whole lives and all of the members of our bodies to God, so He can use them to work righteousness. Then, we will be free from sin. If we don't, we will end up sinning more, because we will use the members of our bodies to sin. Read Romans 6 carefully. Thank God for your freedom in Christ. Decide to live for Him in freedom from sin by trusting Him each day.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Psalms 66-67 and Romans 7.
In Psalm 63 David makes it clear that it is his choice to follow close behind the Lord. (v.8) He is constantly seeking the Lord in the morning and in the evening. (v.1,6) He is not just having an unhurried time, he is walking with the Lord. That is the only way to be free. We must submit to the Lord, and He will set us free to do the right thing. Otherwise, we are bound to do the wrong thing, which is sin.
Psalm 64 describes one aspect of sin. It lies in the tongue. What we speak can be a sin. The words can proceed from our mouths out of pride or in an effort to hurt others. We might think we can control other people, but our own words will come back to trap us. (v.8) Sinning with our words is just as serious as any other kind of sin. We must ask the Spirit to control our speech, or we will not be free. We will be bound up in the tangled web of our own words.
In Psalm 65 David speaks of God's atonement for sin. Only God can forgive sin. We must go to Him and ask for forgiveness. Ultimately, it was Jesus who died to atone for our sins, so we must trust Him to forgive us. However, we also must realize that God wants to satisfy us completely in life. (v.4) He does not want to forgive our sins and turn us loose. He wants to care for us. This psalm is a wonderful depiction of Him caring for us as He cares for the whole earth and provides for all of its needs. Let Jesus satisfy your soul, instead of trying to do it yourself.
Romans 6 is the main passage that deals with spiritual freedom in the Bible. When we are saved, we die to sin, so why should we continue to sin? The answer is that we choose to sin after we are saved. We don't have to sin, but we can choose to sin. We have no excuse, because we have the Spirit to empower us and to guide us. However, once we are saved, we should choose to present our whole lives and all of the members of our bodies to God, so He can use them to work righteousness. Then, we will be free from sin. If we don't, we will end up sinning more, because we will use the members of our bodies to sin. Read Romans 6 carefully. Thank God for your freedom in Christ. Decide to live for Him in freedom from sin by trusting Him each day.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Psalms 66-67 and Romans 7.