Romans 6:12, 13 - WHATS CONTROLLING YOU?
Romans 6:12, 13 (NLT) Do not let sin control
the way you live; do not give in to sinful
desires 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.
COMMENTARY PEARL
Every day you are controlled by something.
You may be controlled by your own ego or
by the expectations of other people. You may be
controlled by fear, guilt, resentment, or bitterness.
You may be controlled by a substance or a habit.
The bottom line is you are controlled by
something every day.
Freedom comes when you choose whats
going to control you. When you choose Jesus Christ
to be in control of your life, when you are
mastered by the Master, you can master everything
else. If God is not number one in your life,
something else is, and itll control you to a
negative degree. When Christ is in control of your
life, he always moves you in the right direction.
Romans 6:12-13 says, Do not let sin
control the way you live; do not give in to sinful
desires 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
(NLT).
Giving control over to Christ is a
choice. Here are some steps to help you do this:
Admit that youve been trying to
play God.
Admit that you cant change on
your own.
Humbly ask God to help you change.
Be honest with someone else about
the things that need to change in
your life.
Give Jesus Christ total ownership
of your life.
Do you really want to change? Are you
willing to do these things? You say, Im so
tired of trying and failing. Stop trying.
Instead, start trusting. God gives you the option to
either depend on him or depend on yourself. The
result is either freedom or frustration.
Why not give it all to Christ? What do
you have to lose? [Daily Devotional by Rick
Warren: https://pastorrick.com/devotional/]
COMMENTARY
How Do We Put Off The Old Life And Put On
The New Life?
When people become believers in Christ,
they are joined to Jesus Christ and begin to
share in his experience and benefits, including
his death and resurrection. Their old life dies
with Christ, and they rise to new life by his
power within them (Romans 6:3-14).
This is all the work of God, who
transforms them by his Spirit. Their minds are renewed,
their desires and actions change, and their lives
begin to reflect the fruit of his Spirit (Romans
12:2; Galatians 5:22-23). They become different
people, gradually growing into the likeness of
Christ.
Believers are also responsible for living
out Christ's death and resurrection (see
Philippians 3:10-14). They are to turn away from their
old life that was full of darkness and embrace a
new life full of light (Ephesians 4:17-5:20).
Using the imagery of clothing, Paul calls
believers to "throw off" the old, sinful life driven
by the devil and to "put on" a new, pure life
directed by the Holy Spirit. As they do so, they
recognize their reliance on Gods grace and power.
Believers must actively turn from their
old lives to live in a new way that pleases God.
It is God's gracious working in their hearts
that gives them the desire and power to do so
(Philippians 2:13). [One Year NLT SB]
Freedom does not mean I am able to do
whatever I want to do. That's the worst kind of
bondage. Freedom means I have been set free to become
all that God wants me to be, to achieve all that
God wants me to achieve, to enjoy all that God
wants me to enjoy. Warren W. Wiersbe (b. 1929)
[Praying Through The Bible By Fuller re Rom. 6:18]
One day, the sin that still dwells in our
unredeemed bodies will be eradicated. Until then, we
are to draw on the power of the Spirit to put to
death the sin that still wants to express itself,
and obey God for His glory. [Life Principles SB
By Charles Stanley]
ILLUSTRATION
Gangster Mickey Cohen said he felt betrayed
when he explored Christianity. No one had
explained that God would require a change in his
behavior. "Christian football players, Christian
cowboys, Christian politicians; why not a Christian
gangster?" he reasoned. When we accept Jesus as our
Savior, obviously some things have to change. We
give everything to God, and he makes us new. He
gives plenty back to us - much in our lives is not
contrary to his will - but we are no longer free to
continue living as we did before. We are to consider
ourselves dead to the old way of life and alive to
God. As we live out that belief, our lives begin
to be genuinely transformed. [NIV Once A Day
Bible re Romans 6:1-14]
CLOSING THOUGHTS
We must inevitably be under the control of
the one or the other of the two great powers
that are contending for the supremacy of the
world. It is not necessary for us deliberately to
choose the service of the kingdom of darkness in
order to come under its dominion. We have only to
neglect to ally ourselves with the kingdom of light.
If we do not co-operate with the heavenly
agencies, Satan will take possession of the heart, and
will make it his abiding place. The only defense
against evil is the indwelling of Christ in the
heart through faith in His righteousness. Unless
we become vitally connected with God, we can
never resist the unhallowed effects of self-love,
self-indulgence, and temptation to sin. We may leave off many
bad habits, for the time we may part company
with Satan; but without a vital connection with
God, through the surrender of ourselves to Him
moment by moment, we shall be overcome. Without a
personal acquaintance with Christ, and a continual
communion, we are at the mercy of the enemy, and shall
do his bidding in the end. DA324
Every soul that refuses to give himself to
God is under the control of another power. He is
not his own. He may talk of freedom, but he is
in the most abject slavery. He is not allowed
to see the beauty of truth, for his mind is
under the control of Satan. While he flatters
himself that he is following the dictates of his own
judgment, he obeys the will of the prince of darkness.
DA466
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE
Romans 6:12, 13: Being A Christian Is A
Matter Of Life Or Death; part 1:
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2008/20081110-2351.html
Romans 6:12, 13: Being A Christian Is A
Matter Of Life Or Death; part 2:
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2008/20081113-0942.html
Romans 6:12, 13: Being A Christian Is A
Matter Of Life Or Death; part 3:
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2008/20081117-0935.html
Romans 6:12, 13: Being A Christian Is A
Matter Of Life Or Death; part 4:
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2008/20081120-1549.html
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in
hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred
Gibbs
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo
Seeking God Made Real:
http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David
DeRose, MD, MPH:
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies:
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies:
http://www.bibleresearch.info/
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
The Last Day of Prophecy by Pastor Doug
Batchelor:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmGvdtMCf1aJTiC59-lPtuUMEq_uEn0BK
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
