Thursday, 23 May 2013
Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. Romans 6:12
“Therefore” is given to sum up everything Paul has said from 6:1 – 6:11. Because of everything which has been evaluated, “do not let sin reign in your mortal body.” If sin weren’t possible, this statement couldn’t even be made, thus it was noted in 6:7 that Paul has been speaking about sin’s, penalty, power, and presence. The penalty of sin has been completely death with. The power of sin is an on-going process which requires action on our part (as is noted now). And the presence of sin will be completely removed when we are glorified.
We can only go in one direction at a time, north or south for example. The same is true concerning our sinful nature. We can either please it and head towards the direction of having sin reign in us, or we can crucify it and have it die in us. When admonishing us to not let it reign in us, Paul uses the term “mortal body.” The reason for this should be obvious – we are not glorified yet and we are not free from either sin’s ability to work in us, nor from sin to completely reign in us once again. Our physical, mortal bodies are weak and must be kept in constant readiness to engage in this battle or we will succumb.
And the way this occurs? It happens when we “obey its lusts.” The weakness of our flesh is prone to temptation. At times it is more so than at others. When we are tired, we are weak in one way. When we are given too much commendation from those around us, it weakens us in another. When we are hungry, we are weakened in another. This is the reason that we need to always be on guard and always prepared to engage in this struggle which wars in our members.
Life application: Joseph ran from Potiphar’s wife when she tried to seduce him. That’s still a good idea today. When sin entices, remember that its consequences can be immense. Don’t let sin reign in your body, but glorify the Lord through holiness and right living.
Lord Jesus, You know the war which goes on inside me. There are things that I shouldn’t do and yet I’m tempted to do them. There are things which can only bring me sadness and regret, and yet these are the things which tempt me the most. Give me the wisdom and the fortitude to overcome these desires and to keep my eyes, my thoughts, and my heart on You alone. Amen.