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Can a Christian live in victory over willful sin?
In "God's Word for Today" William Snider writes:
Can a Christian live each day without condemnation for sins committed while successfully resisting temptation and pleasing God moment by moment? The remarkable answer is “Yes.” Testimonies of defeat can be replaced with proclamations of resounding overcoming lives through the power of the resurrected Christ. To claim such victory is not the language of human accomplishment nor a subtle (or not so subtle) announcement of personal determination and sanctification. It is rather a current possibility and, for the Christian, a present necessity. Contentment with less reflects negatively on the provisions of Christ and is indicative of a defective understanding of the possibilities of grace. Living today and every day with sins forgiven and willful sin resisted is made possible by the resurrected power working in our daily lives.
Source: Studies in Romans: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 40.
The Spirit of Bondage versus the Spirit of Adoption
In "Word Focus" Glenn McClure writes:
First, the spirit of bondage — the Greek word for bondage refers to one who is under unwilling and unhappy servitude. It is one who is in subjection to a master, whether that master is a person, a passion, or an influence… On the other hand, the awareness of the new relationship is the Spirit of adoption. The word adoption means “placing as a son.” It is taking and treating a stranger as one's own child. Instead of fear, as in the slave-master relationship, there is the feeling of love, affection, and confidence which pertains to children. This spirit of adoption is diametrically opposed to the spirit of bondage.
Source: Studies in Romans: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 40.
Pray for Fellow Sunday School Teachers
Lord, I pray today for my fellow Sunday school teachers. I thank You that our church has a team working together to train people how to live for Christ. I value their ministry, whether they are teachers of younger ages or a different class of adults. Thank You for the privilege of serving You with others.
I pray that my fellow teachers might be filled with wisdom and understanding as they direct their classes. Give them the creativity to teach their students that every week the class is excited to learn about You.
Give my fellow teachers encouragement in their ministry. I know that they, like me, will have those days and weeks where busyness, troubles of various kinds, and interruptions tend to suck the energy and life from their spirit. Help them to persevere for You. Let them know that their work has eternal results and eternal rewards.
Help me to be an encouragement to my fellow teachers. May I never be a source of frustration or irritation. Instead, help me to be a great team player for the cause of Christ. I pray all this in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Victorious Living
Lesson 7 - January 15, 2017
Focus Text: Romans 8:1-17
Central Truth: We can have victory over sin through Christ's grace.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to identify some signs of victory in the Christian life.
Lesson Outline:
- The Provision for Victorious Living (Romans 8:1-5)
- The Priority of Victorious Living (Romans 8:6-11)
- The Power of Victorious Living (Romans 8:12-17)
What causes a person to act contrary to their desires?
In "Biblical Perspective" Gordon Snider writes:
If the law is not the problem (v. 16), then what causes me to act contrary to my own desires? Paul answered by distinguishing between I and sin that dwelleth in me. The former is the man as created by God, which in verse 15 made good decisions. The latter is the principle of sin that entered the human race at the Fall and holds controlling influence in the natural man.
Source: Studies in Romans: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 36.