READING:
One-year plan: Psalms 32-35, Romans 5:12-6:23
Two-year plan: Ruth 3-4, Luke 15:11-32
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It’s a question I’ve considered over the years, but I do fear that I’ve sometimes read over it when reading Romans 6. Of course, Romans 6:23 (“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”) was one of the first verses I ever memorized as I learned early on how to share the gospel. That verse certainly speaks of the tragedy that sin ultimately produces.
It’s this question, though, that calls me to consider it today: “So what fruit was produced then from the things you are now ashamed of?” (Rom 6:21). Once slaves to sin, Paul’s readers had little reason then to concern themselves with righteousness; but, upon their conversion, they learned of the futility of their former lifestyles. The actions of those days produced little fruit beyond the anguish and shame that sin brings and the death that sin requires. Their actions of the past about which they were now ashamed produced nothing positive.
The memories of yesterday’s sin can still hurt even after we’ve been forgiven. I need to remember this truth even today when temptation stares me in the face. Rebellion brings nothing good.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: What did your past actions cost you?
DAILY PRAYER: “Knowing my sinfulness, Father, I’m so grateful for Your gracious gift of eternal life.”
TOMORROW’S READINGS:
One-year plan: Psalms 36-38, Romans 7
Two-year plan: 1 Samuel 1:1-2:11, Luke 16:1-13