For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.
Thoughts on Today’s Verse…
We shouldn’t need a law to guide us when the Spirit lives in us. God had promised that under his new covenant, he would put his law in the minds and write it on the hearts of his people (Jeremiah 31:31-33). The Holy Spirit does this in us. The Spirit produces the character God desires in us, well beyond what any law would require (Galatians 5:22-23). The law can teach us God’s will and reveal what is sinful and righteous. However, the law can’t fix our sinful inclinations nor empower us to live according to God’s will. On the other hand, the Holy Spirit can! The Spirit cleanses, transforms, empowers, and inspires us to be what God calls us to be in ways no law can (Romans 8:1-4; 2 Corinthians 3:17-18). Let’s thank God for his loving sacrifice in Jesus and empowering presence in us through the Holy Spirit!
My Prayer…
O God, create a pure heart in me and renew me by dwelling within me through your Holy Spirit. Please empower me through your Spirit to have the character you desire, as the Spirit transforms me to be more like Jesus daily. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
