Slaves of God

“But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.” -Romans 6:22

In Christ, as you believe in him, you are no longer a slave to the sin that reigned in your life beforehand. You have been identified with Christ; literally dyed, or changed into the color of Christ; made his. 

This is the garment you wear: his righteousness and your eternal security in him. You are now a slave to righteousness, of God. This is actually the ultimate in freedom, to be obedient and given the gifts of grace by our Savior. It is what you were meant for, why you were born. In this freedom, you are headed somewhere. 

The fruit of sin was shame and hurt; but the fruit of belief in Jesus is grace, leading to sanctification — becoming like Christ. The desires for sin die away. Your purpose in life is clarified and empowered. Your faith grows, and trust in God's control and goodness becomes your nature. This ends, or rather goes on forever, in eternal life. 

The chains that once held you captive are removed; you are free and have become one of God's people. You are free to live, free of sin. In that gift, you are changing as you arrive at the destination of full life. 

Today, rejoice in your Master's providence and care for you. Rejoice in the gift of sanctification that is working in you miraculous transformation. Rejoice in your identity in Christ and where it is leading you.

This is an excerpt from Depths, a daily devotional by Jonathan Shradar.

Cashing In

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” -Matthew 13:44

If wish and pray that I would treasure Christ more. I am too far often distracted by wasteful things. Paltry things. When right before me is the treasure of surpassing worth, the greatest of things ever imagined, the kingdom of heaven, my Savior, a relationship with the creator and sustainer of the universe.

Maybe that is you too. But here is the beauty of Jesus' care for you at this moment: he keeps himself in front of you, and he too longs for you to treasure him. He knows it is what you were made for, and it is the only way for you to thrive. He wants you to cash in, to rest in his accomplished work, to experience his way of life and his purpose. He bought the field for you, and he secured your treasure.

Who knows what will attempt to steal your attention today, or what will war for valuation in the challenge of life, but we can know this: the ultimate treasure is a gift to you. Jesus is yours, and you can party all the more knowing that there is nothing you need to do to possess the treasure. It is yours for the taking, and there is nothing better.

Treasure Jesus today. He is worth it and worthy of it. He loves you enough to give himself for (and to) you. Cash in.

This post is an excerpt from Depths a daily devotional by Jonathan Shradar.