Romans 6: 1-12 Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? 2 Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? 3 Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? 4 For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.

5 Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was. 6 We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. 7 For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. 8 And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him. 9 We are sure of this because Christ was raised from the dead, and he will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him. 10 When he died, he died once to break the power of sin. But now that he lives, he lives for the glory of God. 11 So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.

12 Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. 13 Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. 14 Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.

This passage was read at the funeral of a character in a book I am reading.  It was one of those jump off the page Scriptures that filled me with hope and joy....and as I continued thinking about these words this morning, I thought to myself I would love to have them imprinted on my brain...sitting front and center in my mind so that I would constantly be reminded that I am no longer under the power of sin.  I no longer need to be controlled by fleshly desires which war against the God given, Holy Spirit led yearnings that  would shape my life into something that is holy and glorifying to the Lord. 

It all sounds so simple, yes?  But it takes a lifetime to master.  When we truly believe these Scriptures, remind ourselves often of them, I think we will begin to see the changes we want to see.  And that excites me and fills me with hope.  I'm going to print out these verses and carry them with me, looking at them often, especially when wrong thinking and sinful desires come my way. 

Maybe you struggle with overeating, like I do....God does not approve of gluttony, so when the desire to eat more food than I need or indulge over what is a healthy treat...I want to remember that I need not follow that course of action.  Perhaps your struggle is against gossip or complaining, negativity or speaking ill of yourself or others.  Maybe anger, maybe lust, maybe covetousness....whatever your struggle, the Word of God says we are dead to sin!  Jesus has broken it's power over us!!  Hallelujah!!

Lord, thank You!!  Thank You!! Thank You!!  There will never be enough time and ways to say thank You!! Lord help me, all of us, to live this out, to remember and celebrate these truths, to apply them to our lives moment by moment by moment.  Transform our lives to reflect Jesus!  It's in His holy and precious Name I come to You.  Amen. 

Print out these verses, read them often.