Our best efforts could never earn what God so freely gives. We might struggle to pray, but the Spirit is literally praying with us and for us. Not only that, God is with us in every struggle, promising to make all things work for our good -- perhaps especially the worst things. We can trust God with this incredible promise because God already took the worst imaginable thing, the crucifixion of God the Son, and turned it into the greatest blessing imaginable!

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https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Is the world an ugly place or a beautiful place? Obviously it is both, but why? Paul reminds us that sin didn't just corrupt us, it twisted the entire created order. But Jesus changes all things. Creation now groans like in childbirth -- there is pain, but with a purpose, and only for a time. The world suffers with us, waiting for God's purposes to be fully restored in us and in the world.

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Why should we do as God says? A lowly servant might obey out of fear. An employee might obey for hope of reward or fear of punishment. Those motivations reveal the nature of our relationship. For those who are in Christ, Paul says, our obligation is that of adopted children. We respond to God's generosity, not to gain something positive or avoid something negative, but purely out of joyful gratitude!

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https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Pouring gas into an electric car would be disastrous -- an engine needs proper fuel. It would be similarly disastrous if those who are in the Spirit turn to the old fuel of the sinful nature, which leads to death rather than life. This most basic choice opens or closes the door to so many other important choices in our lives. Let's choose the right fuel!

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Sermon #6 of Highrock's fall series, "Behind the Curtain: Secrets of the Seven Churches of Revelation" by Pastor Richard Lee from Revelation 3:7-13 (NIV)

Finally turning the corner on sin, Paul highlights how God, through Jesus Christ, accomplishes what the Law could not do! All that dark language about sin was not about condemnation. Rather, it was a diagnosis that leads to the healing found in Jesus. The Law, as good as it is, leads to death while the Spirit leads to life -- life for us with God!

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Paul concludes his deep dive into our sinful condition by calling it slavery. In our inner being, we desire to do what is right and pleasing to God, but the sin within eventually compels us to do the opposite. We are not in control, but are we without hope?

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Paul continues to develop a deeper picture of how sin affects us. Sin is like a disease or a parasite that is able to make us do even the evil things we hate! But that dark diagnosis hides some hope because in some sense, it is sin itself that is at fault! Rather than condemnation, Paul's picture exonerates us in many ways, even though it still leaves us in a state in which we are helpless to escape our bonds. We are going to need help!

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Paul feels the need to be clear that God's Law itself is a good thing! However, there is a corrupting force in us that turns that good thing to destructive ends. Paul will soon explain how God resolves this problem but in the meantime, we focus on the importance of not acting out of the fear that leads to sin. Rather, we embrace the love of God that leads to full life!

Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:

https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Dr. Scott P. Rice's recent book, "Trinity and History"

https://www.amazon.com/Trinity-History-God-World-Pannenberg-Theological/dp/1532668120

https://www.heartsandmindsbooks.com/order/ (one of Scott's favorite bookshops)

Sermon #5 of Highrock's fall series, "Behind the Curtain: Secrets of the Seven Churches of Revelation" by Pastor Taylor Burgoyne from Revelation 2:18-29 (NIV)