The weight of religious obligation without the Spirit is
suffocating. It’s like being trapped in a dark, airless room where every action
is scrutinized, and every failure met with condemnation. But in Christ, we can
step into a fresh, open space where the refreshing breeze of the Spirit fills
our lungs with freedom and joy!
In today’s verse, Paul describes this as “the new way of the
Spirit.” The old way, bound to religious rules and sin, crushes the soul, but
the new way of the Spirit breathes life into every moment. Under a life of
religious rules—the law—people live under a constant burden, never measuring
up, always striving, but never arriving.
As Paul candidly explains in Romans 7, sin takes advantage
of the law, producing guilt, shame, defeat, and frustration. It is a cycle of
effort and failure, like endlessly trying to climb a rock face with a
chain around your ankle. Working hard, but never reaching the top. But in
Christ, we are “released from the law!"
We have died to that burden! The Spirit now empowers us to serve God not
out of duty, but out of delight. The law only exposes sin, but the Spirit leads
us into righteousness.
Many still live as though they’re chained to religious
rules—trying to earn God's approval, weighed down by shame. Doing things they
don’t want to do, and not doing the righteous things they long to do. But Jesus
didn’t save you so you could carry that old burden; He set you free to walk in
newness of life. The Spirit now produces in you what the law never could—love,
joy, peace, and new found power over sin.
Are you living in the joy of this freedom, or are you still
measuring yourself by an old scorecard? Step fully into the new way of the
Spirit! Lay down the weight of religious
striving and embrace the joy of walking with Jesus. Instead of trying harder,
surrender deeper. Break the cycle of sin
and despair by relying fully upon the Spirit’s power. Instead of fearing
failure, rest in His grace.
No comments:
Post a Comment