Page 20 - Livin Light Issue 81

Wed June 21 - Freed to be a slave – a paradox!
You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.
Romans 6:18
It would be easy to think that being set free from sin by Jesus means that we can now live as we like. But nothing could be further from the truth! Paul shows us that there is no freedom in a vacuum. True freedom can paradoxically be found in serving God. Jesus frees us from sin to become slaves of God, ‘whose service is perfect freedom’ as the old prayer book says.
Paul introduces himself as a ‘slave of Christ Jesus’ at the beginning of this letter to the Romans, and he encourages us to be the same, whatever that might cost. Often it will mean that we are faced with having to do things that ‘go against the grain’, or that we can’t understand or make sense of. For example, Jesus offered forgiveness freely, even when wicked men were crucifying him. He prayed, “Father, forgive them because they don’t know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). Stephen, his disciple, prayed the same way as he was being stoned to death (Acts 7:60).
Revenge, resentment and bearing grudges do not lead to righteousness and freedom. Is there someone who has wronged you, whom you could choose to forgive? Or maybe you have forgiven them but you still need to forgive yourself for being involved? Don’t underestimate how hard it is to offer forgiveness, but Jesus will help you, and you will become free as you serve and obey him in this way!
Dear Lord and Master, what is your will for me today? Please reveal this to me. Amen.
Thursday June 22 - Choices!
Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity... so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness. Romans 6:19
Back in 1979 (in my youth!) Bob Dylan sang a song with the refrain: ‘You’re gonna have to serve somebody; well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord, but you’re gonna have to serve somebody.’ It was the height of the sexual revolution and so-called ‘free love’ was everywhere. Because of the availability of the birth control pill, people gave themselves freely to immorality. However, free love turned out to be a misnomer for many, who never found true love and faithfulness that way. Maybe Dylan was voicing his disillusionment and hinting at another way to live.
Paul says that we have a choice in the way we live. The choice is slavery to sin or slavery to righteousness. Slavery to sin is a downward spiral, while slavery to righteousness leads to holiness.
Susan’s husband left her and she was persuaded by friends at the pub to make some money lap-dancing. She needed the cash, and to begin with she needed the company too. But as she got drawn further into the sordid business, she felt compromised and even dirty. That’s when she turned to Jesus and found acceptance and forgiveness and a new life of service! She had to give up the smart clothes and flash car, but in their place she found joy and peace and became a church-planter! She made a good choice!
Jesus, help me to choose your way today, whatever it may cost. Amen.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
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PRAYER FOR TODAY