Daily Reading: Roman 6:1-14

“…present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.”

Romans 6:13 b (NASB)

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I’ve lost count how many times as a pastor I’ve sat down with
someone, struggling with a particular sin or sins in their life, and
been asked the question: “How do I get through this? How do I stop
sinning?” In my early years, I’d whip open my Bible and start
preaching at them. This, was poor counseling. Rest assured, using the
Bible is the absolute best source for counseling. The problem, was in
the delivery – the pastor method. It’s always a good idea to
listen to people. After all many people have been hearing the truth
from God’s Word in the pews for years, and sometimes just need a
little nudge to act on what they’ve heard.

From
time to time, there comes a new believer or someone who has not heard
the Word taught. This is an individual who simply needs the basic
truths of the Christian walk. These are the very truths we’ve been
discussing in this first section of Romans six. They can be
summarized into three words, if you use the King James – which I am
inclined to do from time to time as I study you will discover three
key words in Romans 6: know, reckon, and yield. The translators
correctly use three action words to describe the basics of the
Christian life. This is not a formula and certainly not something you
can do by yourself. This will be of no help to the unbeliever or the
one who has professed Christ yet believes in a type of augmented
fatalism. It will also be of little help to the one who is unwilling
to trust God and be led by His Spirit. Moreover, the Christian life,
and these three principles take time learn. This is something
extremely difficult for you and I, because we want these sinful
desires taken away now. Oh that we could not be bothered by the lust
of the flesh anymore, right now!

This
journey begins with knowledge, about the old life and the new man we
have been discussing. We must ‘know’ (Romans 6:6), and believe,
that we are dead to sin – that we are baptized into Jesus’s
death; also into His resurrection. Know this and believe it. If you
are still trying to do or die to self, you’ll never move past this
first point. Next we are to ‘reckon’ (Romans 6:11 ) it (these
truths) to be “real for us”. Reckon is not the word ‘consider’,
it’s an action word. We are to let our minds be permeated with this
truth. We should wrap every action, thought and intention around
these truths. There is no room for half-hearted belief in this word.
The truths of Scripture should be like water to the body –
essential in every way!

Finally,
we are to ‘yield’ (Romans 6:13 ). This is a purposeful action.
While driving, some people may come to a yield sign and pay no
attention. Bless their hearts – they should stop that. Yielding
involves an intentional act and consideration of the events which are
around us. For the believer, you are to take the time and consider
the life choice you make, the things you do with all the resources
God has given – especially your time.

Know, Reckon & Yield - 4TheWord Radio.