Salvation, Sanctification, and Struggle

10/26/22 – 11/03/22

The Truth About Life in Christ

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  11/03/22

Read Romans 7:1-25.

In this passage, the apostle Paul outlines four Truths about our life in Christ to encourage us as we seek to live for Him.

We are bound to Christ, not the law (vv. 1-6). Christ frees us from the bondage of performance of the law so that we now have joy instead of despair, life instead of death, love instead of duty, and willing service instead of begrudging effort.

Maturity builds up (vv. 7-13). Immature Christians live depending on themselves. But sooner or later, they fail because the law cannot help anyone overcome their sin. Mature Christians do not blame the law, but daily accept their desperate need for a Savior.

Do-it-yourself religion will fail (vv. 14-23). Temptation will always find us on this side of heaven, and fighting back on our own can only bring discouragement. We must instead rely on Christ, allowing the Holy Spirit to have His way in us.

Surrender will always keep you afloat (vv. 24-25). Growing closer to Jesus is like getting closer to a bright light. The closer you get to His holiness, the more clearly you can see the dirt in your life. Thanks be to God that we no longer rely on ourselves for holiness—an impossible feat—but instead look to Jesus, our righteousness, for true transformation in our lives.

Prayer: Thank You, God, for saving me from my sin and transforming me day by day into the likeness of Christ. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:24-25a).