Death and Life - Romans 7

    This topic contrasts what happens when we try to live once again in our own strength and power.  When we do our lives turn into a kind of death.  We are weak an powerless.

       Life is tough.  All around us, in America, in Russia, In Ukraine, wherever, life is tough.  It may be tougher in the CIS, but it is hard for everyone everywhere. 

     That’s life, we say.  How though, do we live in such a corrupt society?  Do our children have any hope for a better life?

     Not only do your children have hope for a better life.  So do you.  Much better than you probably hoped.

     You thought about and questioned some of what was in the first topic, Hope and Freedom.  Now, question and think some more.  If there is hope in this world for something better, it is worth it to continue with us.

     The hope and joy and peace that God offers is something that most of the world does not understand.  It does not make sense.  You have never been treated by anyone in your life the way God treats you.  He loves you - no matter what.  He offers to make your life better, much better.  He offers to give you everything in love.  He loves you, He died for you, even though He knew you’d be crap.

     As we have studied so far we know that if we are believers, then we are completely identified in Christ’s dead and resurrection.   We have died, like Christ.  We have died spiritually.  It is not a physical death.    We are also united with Christ in His spiritual resurrection.

     Please consider the first part of Romans Chapter Six.

     Through Christ’s death and resurrection believers should realize that we are now dead to the power of sin in our lives.  So spiritually we can live Christ’s life now, even in this corrupt world.   

     Impossible?  Yes, it is.  But you can do this, if you want to.  You do not have to be a slave to sin anymore.  Now Christ lives in us.  Since Christ lives to do God’s will and glorify Him forever, so can we.

      This is all true.  It may be completely different from what you have ever known.  You may think it is impossible.  However, if what the Bible says is true, than we should know this as true.  It is real.  It is power.  God’s power.  We can have God’s power when we are living in the power of the Holy Spirit.

      Sin and lawlessness, corruption, dishonesty, and all the things and ways of the world should have no right to control us.  We can be free from the power of sin.

      This means immediately peace.  That is a very great gift.  You no longer need to live with guilt.  You no longer need to live with frustration and shame.  The world won’t change.  Your friends won’t change.  Your family may not change.  However, you can be very different inside.  You will have peace with yourself and God.  That is a very big start in your new life.

      It is first the evil and sin and pain of life that causes us to despair.  That causes us to find escapes - in alcohol, in sex, in drugs, in hurting others like we have been hurt.

      How do we stop cooperating with sin, and instead find hope and peace in a world of pain and disappointments? 

      One good way to start is by agreeing with God about what He has already done for us.   

            Please consider all of this.    

       If you are a believer then you have already died a real spiritual death to sin in Christ.  Then you have already been resurrected to live in Christ spiritually.  From this new life can come all the good things that God has to offer.  How this can happen to you personally is the subject of the remaining topics.

       If you are not a believer, than you should consider why you are not.  It really is up to you.  God has offered you an exciting life.  He really has.  Many people have discovered this in your country, in your city, in your town.  They are not all fools or weak people who can only live in their delusions. 

       The fact of the resurrection of Christ is well documented.  The disciples who knew Jesus personally, and who knew his resurrection personally, would not have spent the rest of their lives changing their world for a lie.  They did not die martyr’s deaths for a lie.  Millions of Christians the world over have not trusted in Christ because they are stupid, or uneducated, or mentally ill.  All of these people have had their lives changed.  So can you.