Text: Exodus 20:1-26, Romans 7:7-25
There’s a long list of phrases my mom always said that I promised myself I would never say should I become a parent.
“If ‘so and so’ asked you to jump off a bridge, would you?”
“Just wait until your father gets home!”
And the worst of the worst:
“Because I said so!”
That always felt like such a copout. I vowed that I’d have a more concrete reason for what I’m sure my kids feel are silly rules for our household. Because I like to think that our house rules, much like the Ten Commandments as given to Moses by God in Exodus, are rules that have an invaluable purpose.
As Paul explains in Romans, the Commandments are a perfect expression of God’s will for His children. There’s no guesswork. Simply put, we can’t be trusted to figure out what is best for ourselves; our very human nature prevents it. We just don’t have what it takes. And like Paul admits, we have this uncanny ability to dress up the things we shouldn’t do and make them look like things we should do.
Enter my mind for a moment:
“Wanting designer skinny jeans like my girlfriend has just motivates me to work harder. And really, if I put in some extra time working hard on a Sunday, it just gets me closer to that pair of skinny jeans. Me talking to our other girlfriend about how much our friend paid for those jeans? We’re both Christians, so in a way, it’s just a form of fellowship!”
Yes, sin will get the best of us. Even with rules in place (and most certainly without rules in place), no one can defeat it.
Except for one.
Jesus.
He overcomes every broken commandment. Those we broke as children. Those we broke as adults. Those we have yet to break as participants in this fallen world.
Jesus is greater.
Because if God asked Him to hang on a cross, He would.
Because He can’t wait until we get home to our Father.
Because God said so.
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38 thoughts on "law that leads to redemption"
I love the verses in Romans. Makes me realize the commandments really are a no-brainer.
I'm so guilty of dressing up my sins, and I immediately know it too because my spirit convicts me! I often feel so bad that I don't even ask God for forgiveness because I knew it was wrong to begin with….am I wrong for thinking this way? I'm sure this is the enemy's way of keeping me from moving closer to God's kingdom, but I'm certain that with the support of my newfound family, I will be able to stand strong and tall against adversity from the enemy and do all things pleasing unto God! Give God the Glory for redeeming my broken spirit!
Romans 7:14-25 completely wrecked me in a good way!!! Totally convicted!
Lead me Lord to see sin as sin today.
I have made so many things an ultimate in my life… as gods above my God. Adoption, marriage, a cute home, pretty Instagram photos. It's so easy to do. Then I remember that nothing good dwells in me, in my flesh. He is the ultimate, and He is good.
i really appreciate today's devotional. "simply put, we can't be trusted to figure out what's best for ourselves." Romans 7 verses 15-25 really struck a chord for me.
Ugh! I don't even recognize it when I'm dressing up sins – so convicted and humbled by my humanness next to his sovereignty. Praise His name and inviting him to shine light to show me my offenses. Pursuing his holiness and embracing His grace!!
Good morning Sisters. This is the first time I have ever commented on here. I joined up with SRT back in June 2012 and followed along up until May of last year. "Life" got in the way, I am ashamed to admit. However, a few days ago, I started back up again. A new year, a fresh start, yes? I am so thrilled to be back! I have started the A Fresh Start plan and have caught myself up so I can follow along day by day. I have also started the other plans that I have missed along the way. Feels good to be back. Feels great to have Him.
Blessings,
Jessica
Welcome Back Jessica!
Dear praying sisters could sure use prayer today …phyiscal & emotional stuff going on in my heart :) thanks huggggs k
Praying….Stillness and peace over you, Kristine. May God wrap You in His ever righteous right hand, strengthening you, removing anxieties, healing the pain. Amen
"Because he can't wait until we get home to our Father"
What a beautiful picture this is! No matter what we do, the Father is waiting for us, patiently waiting to welcome us into his home that he has prepared for us. I hold onto this truth as I start another week. One day, we will be home with our Father and there will be no more law, no more sin, only love!
I really resonated with the part of this devotional that addressed dressing up sin. As an over-thinking, detail-oriented, creative person, I tend to have a lot of mental chatter going on most of the time. That is, unless I intentionally quiet my thoughts so that I can truly focus on God and what He is teaching me. This reading brought into light how many times I have unknowingly allowed myself to cover up and adorn sins to make them seem less than they really are. I want to be more mindful of this from now on. Have a lovely day sisters!
I love that it is so simply put "he overcomes EVERY broken commandment" JESUS IS GREATER! Amen and thank you Jesus for I am but a sinner!
Sarah I really like seeing the ten Commandments expressed in this way "a perfect expression of God’s will for His children."
It is His will for us! And the law is fulfilled in us when we love our neighbor as ourselves, (last weeks challenge sermon). Oh may I depend on His free grace and trust that His commands will lead to full and lasting joy.
I pray for those rebelling against our just and perfect God, to stop in their tracks, turn from their sinful ways — Why? Because God said So! End of story — He knows what's best for us!
I LOVE that last line: "Because God said so!"
Anna lee praying God will take away your pain and wrap his arms around you at this moment and comfort you, give you peace, and joy which will be your strength today! Jessica. I loved your comment! He knows we're going to mess up but He is right there ready to RESTORE!! So thankful for His love and grace today!
"18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 19 bFor I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing." My brother died on September 10th from a drug overdose. He had been clean for 15 months and living with me. Two days before he died, I told him how good he looked and how much I loved him. I remember his last words to me, "I am trying so hard sis, but you just cannot imagine the battles going on inside me. I know that God lives in me, but Satan just won't let go of me. I love you Sis so much. Good night and I will talk more with you tomorrow." This scripture reminded me of that last conversation I had with him. I am so thankful for God's grace, his mercy, and his love. And I face each day knowing that Jesus is greater than all my sin, all my pain, and all my heartache.
Oh Sheila…I'm so terribly sorry for your loss. I thank you for sharing this memory. My mom is fresh out of rehab and it has given me some insight into her battle. I pray that you will feel God closer to you than the air you breathe today. Sending love and light to you, dear sister.
I will be praying for your mom and for you. Often people place their prayers on the addicted and never see what that addiction does to the ones who love them. Never give up on her, keep praying.
I am praying for you girl! It is such a blessing that you know the Lord and can rest in Him with your hurts. You will be in my thoughts this morning.
Thank You, Lord, for giving us the law that we so need, and, through Jesus, the way to obey it.
Dressing up the things we shouldn't do to make them look like the things we should do…my, my, my! Or, ouch! How that has carried over down through the ages! Guilty!
No matter how I tried to make my sin look like it WASN'T to God, He knew better…yet He loved me anyway, He forgave and He took me in. Because He had hung on that cross for me!
So thankful today for that mercy, even when I stumble and fall, He picks me up, over and over again. "Your love never fails, it never gives up, it never runs out on me!"
I literally got chill bumps when I read the last 3 lines. How perfect. "Because if God asked Him to hang on a cross, He would. Because He can’t wait until we get home to our Father. Because God said so." And "he overcomes every broken commandment." Because of our broken world, He was broken; that we may be whole. *sigh* God is SO good to us ladies.
"See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" 1 John 3:1
So thankful that God clearly spells out the rules; but knowing they will be broken, He provides a clear path to forgiveness and restoration. It is through missing the mark that I grasp He has more for me than a performance-based love and how great that love must be.
"He has more for me than a performance-based love…" That really strikes a chord this morning. Thank you for reminding me that He is not like my father….. He does not love me the same. He loves me more – unconditionally – sacrifcially – continually – and eternally. I needed that reminder today……
These verses in Romans were the scripture we studied in Sunday School a few weeks ago. Think God is trying to teach me something?! Haha. Funny how I obviously missed it because he's giving it to me again. God is good.
Father God, I can't help but rest in you as the helpless child that I am in this moment. Help me to cling to you and your grace for what I just cannot do on my own. Don't forget the cry of your servant, oh Lord.
Sisters, please pray for me. I'm up with a serious bout of cramps and besides everything else that's gone on in the past day in my life, I feel like I physically, mentally and emotionally can't handle it aside from the Lord. Clinging to him for relief and comfort right now.
Praying for you right now! Sometimes I feel like all I can do is hold on to Him for dear life! And that is just what He wants from us. So hold on tight! But He's got you, He's got us, all the time! Much love to you this day!
Praying for you AnnaLee. I hope you were able to get some peace and rest last night. And if not, I pray that God wraps you up like a blanket and gives you the opportunity to rest today. You're one of God's favorites…
Oh Anna Lee, I am praying for you this morning…wish I had been on earlier!! Jesus, please touch our friend and relieve her pain in Your precious Name! Give her relief and comfort today, rest and peace as only You can. Amen. We are holding you up today friend!
Praying for you, Annalee!
Praying for comfort in your time of pain!
In prayer for you AnnaLee. May God's grace rain on you.
Oh sweet girl….you are at the perfect place. When you can't physically, mentally and emotionally handle it – its precisely the time to rest. Its ok to let go….if you look below you, you will see His Hands….He will not have to catch you, because He is already holding you. Its ok to let go – be still – and just rest. You have an army of sisters here, that are fighting this battle for you. You have a loving tribe of Warriors that are storming the gates or Heaven, asking and expecting Him, to move to heal, help and calm you. Just rest…..knowing He is your Comforter, your Healer, and your Provider. We are your Sisters – You are His Daughter…..allow Him to Comfort you, as only The Loving Father can.
I'm praying for you, AnnaLee! I have been dealing with a spinal injury that has caused a lot of pain and today I woke up struggling. As I was laying on the floor, stretching and seeking relief, I thought of how the Lord had filled my heart this morning with joy, despite my pain. I pray that you feel His loving arms around you and his peace within you as you go through your day.
Praying for God's comfort, healing, and overwhelming piece for you, AnnaLee!
I pray for healing for you AnnaLee. "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities,the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed." Isaiah 53:5. This verse says we can have healing mind, body and soul because Jesus took the stripes for us.
Father, touch my sister and heal he mind, body and soul. Give her your shalom peace, a peace that surpasses all understanding and hold her tight, in Jesus name I pray, Amen