Produce Life

“For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:20-23 (NKJV).

You were made to produce life! But, you also have the potential to produce death by sinning. In fact, sin produces death. You were born into sin and were a slave to sin, producing shame and death. Sin creates toxicity in relationships, bitterness and lust in your heart, anger and stress in your body, and has a damaging effect on your spirit, soul and body. Your own sin breeds death and the sins of others create death, as well. God hates sin, disease and death. He hates the toxic relationships that sin produces. This is why Jesus Christ entered history as a human and conquered sin and death. Jesus came to free you from the activities that create death, as well as purchase your forgiveness. The results of sin is death but the gift of God is life through Jesus.

“For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us.” John 1:17-18 (NLT). Before you were saved, the law of God set boundaries for you but couldn’t keep you from sinning. In fact, the more you broke the laws of God, the more sin and death you created. But, God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came to you through Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ fulfilled the laws of God perfectly and then paid for your sin and death with His own body and soul. In this way, you are released from being a slave to sin and you are created anew to be a servant of righteousness.

“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6 (NKJV). The first Adam bequeathed you sin and death. The second Adam paid the penalty for your sin and death and, from Him, you’ve inherited righteousness and life. “Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life.” 1 John 5:12 (NLT).

Here is the application: When you receive life from Jesus Christ, it is the very essence of your spiritual DNA. You are truly alive inside. The life of Jesus is the ingredients that your spirit has been made from and you are designed produce righteousness. God through grace has given you life. Live out that life and be righteous.

“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:1-2 (NKJV). For a believer, there are three options. First, you can sin and produce death and condemnation. Second, you can become legalistic and try to obey the law perfectly. Third, you can live in grace by walking in the Spirit and responding to His guidance. To walk according to the Spirit means to be molded by Him into the image of Jesus Christ. The law of the Spirit of life is the law of grace: You have been set free from sin and perfection. You now have the liberty and privilege to be authentic to who you are: a saint. The law of the Spirit of Life says, “to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 2:22-24 (ESV).

Prayer: “Dear Heavenly Father, I want to be holy and righteous! I hate my sin and I hate the toxicity that it produces. Please forgive me for trying to be perfect in my own strength and ability. You have already made me perfect in Christ. Please help me be that person. Please help me live according to the law of the Spirit and put on the clothes of thinking and godly actions. In Jesus’s name, amen.”