DAILY DEVOTIONAL ON ROMANS 1:4:
“POWER TO OVERCOME”
- As shared by Rev. Don Schink © 2010
- As shared by Rev. Don Schink © 2010
“AND WHO THROUGH THE SPIRIT OF HOLINESS WAS DECLARED WITH POWER TO BE THE SON OF GOD BY HIS RESURRECTION FROM THE DEAD: JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD.”
( - New International Version)
The Bible has a lot to say about the spirit of holiness. In fact, holiness is not an option. It is a divine requirement. In Hebrews 12:14-15, the Bible says, “Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. (15) See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many” To make every effort is to emphasize the importance of living yielded hearts and lives to the Holy Spirit daily. It is imperative, for, as we read, “without holiness no one will see the Lord!”
The Lord knows that we are far from perfect. Jesus Christ, Himself, is the only one Who ever walked the face of the earth who was sinless, - who was absolutely perfect in word, thought and deed. When tempted, as Jesus was tempted in the desert for forty days by Satan, we see that He never yielded but came through victoriously. Why? Because as we read in Luke 4:1, “Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit…” He was filled with the Spirit! He was prayed up! He was ready. Was it easy? No, I’m certain that it wasn’t.
Temptation is truly a time of trial and testing for all of us. We find ourselves falling short of the mark all too many times. We’ve been discouraged and have even felt like giving up. But we need to be encouraged. Very few of us have ever experienced temptation to the extent that we read about Job in the Old Testament or Jesus in the New Testament. In 1 Corinthians 10:13, we read, “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful: He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide you a way out so that you can stand up under it.” In Hebrews 2:18, the Bible says, “Because He himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted.”
In James 1:2-3, we read, “Consider it pure joy my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, (3) because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.” In James 1:12, the Word says, “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.” So our source of power and victory over temptation is to walk as Jesus, Himself walked, “through the spirit of holiness!”
In Luke 4:32 we read that as Jesus taught, “They were amazed at His teaching, because His message had authority.” He cast out demons. He healed the sick. He raised the dead. But most importantly, He came to give His life for the redemption of the world. He walked the earth, setting a good example, teaching and preaching the Word, and lovingly encouraging people, both through admonition as well as encouragement. He willingly laid down His life on Calvary’s Cross, being resurrected from the dead on the third day, rising into the heavens, where He sits at the right hand of God. He continually is making intercession for each of us, including you and me!
Adam Clarke wrote, “The resurrection of Christ from the dead was such an absolute proof of our Lord’s innocence, the truth of His doctrine, and the fulfillment of all that the prophets had spoken, as to leave no doubt to any who seriously contemplate this truth. In the true spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ was manifested as the Son of God, the very Messiah promised before in the Holy Scriptures. The fact that he is the Messiah was clearly and fully demonstrated. Christ was proven to be the Son of God, the promised Messiah” (Clarkes Commentary, pp. 36-37).
In Romans 8:1-4, the Bible says, “Therefore there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, (2) because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. (3) 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, (4) 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.”
We serve a risen Savior! In His walking this earth, being tried and tested in every way, just as we are, gives Him understanding and sympathy. He has walked in our shoes. He was fought the good fight… and He was won! He is victorious over sin, over death and the grave, and has risen from the dead! Yes, He is alive, in all of His power, His splendor and His glory! God has vindicated His Son, making Him Lord of the Church. As we yield to Him, willingly setting ourselves apart for Him, we have the victory. As we do so, He enables and empowers us to walk in victory. He enables and empowers us to have power to live the victorious Christian life.
The Christian life is not for cowards. It is a life of constant trials and testing. This happens to strengthen and to mature us in our Christian walk. It enables us to live the life of holiness for, as we are told in Hebrews 12:14, “Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” We are what we are simply because of Who He is in our hearts and lives. As we yield in an attitude of gratitude, realizing that He is Lord of Lords and King of Kings, yet He clearly has walked where we’ve walked, we find what we need to live as He admonishes us to do. We do so because of Who He is in our hearts and lives as we sanctify (set apart) ourselves to His Word and His will for each of us!
For any questions or comments, please email me at: PastorDonNM@gmail.com
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