Unbound - Sins

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift

of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 6:23 (NIV)

Think about the key words in this Scripture passage. Think about “wages.” It’s what we get for what we’ve done. What we get for what we’ve done. If what we’ve done is sin, then what we get is death. But we all die, right? What kind of death is Paul talking about here?

Think about the word “gift” in the passage above. What are the necessary conditions for something to truly be a gift? Freely given, no strings attached? So what is the gift God wants to give us and what is the cost? If you haven’t received the gift, why not?

If we claim to be without sin, we

deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.

I John 1:8 (NIV)

The simple fact is, we are all sinners. When we think otherwise, we deceive ourselves, just as we are told in this passage of Scripture. Have you accepted the fact that you are a sinner? Have you acknowledged that to God? Or are you still trying to pretend otherwise, somehow thinking that God doesn’t know, while only deceiving yourself? If you haven’t had a heart to heart with God about your sinful nature recently, perhaps now is the time.

On the other hand, it isn’t difficult for many of us to admit that we are sinners. What is difficult is to accept the fact that God is that God gave His one and only Son so that we might be forgiven of that sin. That gift is so extravagant that it is difficult for many of us not only to understand, but to accept. But until we accept it, it’s not ours. If you haven’t accepted this gift, what is keeping that from happening? If you have, have you offered a prayer of thanksgiving today for that gift?

Unbound - Secrets

Have you ever had a secret that you tried to hide from God, or at least, didn’t talk to God about? Did you end up sharing it with the Holy One? If so, what happened? If not, why not consider doing that?

Have you ever been bound by a secret? Did you finally share it with someone? If you did, what happened when you shared it? How did you feel? If you haven’t, do you need to share it with someone you can trust?

Who is it in your life that you could share your deepest, darkest secret with? If you don’t have such a person, would you consider praying to God to help you develop such a relationship with someone? Would you consider making that prayer right now?

Read the 10^th chapter of the Gospel of John. What is Satan’s reason for being? What is Jesus’ reason for being?

Sometimes we allow someone else’s secrets to bind us up, especially those of family members. Loyalty to family members is important, but not when keeping those secrets binds us and keeps us from enjoying the life we’ve been promised by Jesus. What will it take for you to be truly free to enjoy the life Jesus has to offer? Are you ready to pray for God’s help with that?

Play Ball - Swing for the Fences

Why is lukewarm so bad? Have you felt that from other people in your life? Why is lukewarm worse than cold?

Where is it in your life that you are neither hot nor cold, where you are lukewarm? Home? Work? Church? Relationship with Spouse? Kid?

What would it take to change that relationship from lukewarm to hot, to swing for the fences? Are you willing to do that? Are you willing to pray for God’s help in doing that?

Read Revelation 3:17-18

Do you ever feel that you are rich, that you kind of have it all together and don’t need anything? Or do you realize that you are wretched, poor, blind, and naked, at least, without Jesus?

In this passage, Jesus counsels those he is talking to to buy from him “gold refined in the fire…..white clothes to wear…..and salve to put on your eyes.” What is Jesus talking about with this gold, these clothes, and this salve? If we were to buy these things from Jesus, what would the price be? How would we pay the price?

Are you willing to Swing for the Fences in your relationship with Jesus? What does that look like for you? What needs to change? Are you willing to pray for that change?