Whom have I in heaven but You?

Our Daily Journey: Tattoos Aren’t New | Romans 6:1-11

We are no longer slaves to sin. Romans 6:6

How well are you living out your identity as a slave of Jesus and no longer a slave to sin? What needs to change?
This question made me remember what our pastor at church said today: It’s not about what we do, but what Christ had already done. Looking at my life, even though it is obviously different from my pre-follower of Christ days, I am still not perfect. Sure, I go to church, I volunteer at ministries, I encourage people with God’s Words, I do my best to obey Him, I try to be nice to everyone, but there are still times when I make mistakes. I still sin. But I am thankful to God because He knows how weak I am. My salvation is not dependent on what I have to do, but on what Jesus Christ did on the cross. Whatever good works that I do now, it is in gratitude of the grace and mercy that God gave me, even though I did not deserve it.
However, Paul clearly states that salvation does not give us a license to sin. Jesus Christ should not only be our Savior, but the Lord of our lives. When we truly understand the gift of salvation, we realize that although good works can never save us, it is actually a proof of a person’s genuine desire to follow Christ. I may never be perfect, but I have experienced the transforming love and grace of Jesus. Therefore, it is my desire, not duty, to take drastic changes in my life to be able to put a smile on His face. The sinful things I did before has to stop. Lying, cheating, and purposely hurting other people should stop. It is not because I have to do it to earn salvation, but because I have already earned it, and I can’t even start to comprehend the cost of having my sins washed away by Jesus.

Our Daily Journey: An Unlikely Route To Life | John 20:1-9

For until then they still hadn’t understood the Scriptures that said Jesus must rise from the dead. John 20:9

What do you need to die to today as you choose life in Jesus? How does Jesus’ resurrection affect your view of the present and the future?
I have been feeling spiritually down in the past few days. I felt like a failure for succumbing into temptation, to returning to a sinful habit that I had in the past. I felt bad for letting Jesus down. I even felt unworthy to read the Bible and spend some time with Him today, until I realized that this is the enemy’s lie. As I read through today’s devotional, I was once again reminded that I didn’t have to prove myself to God. Jesus paid the price for my sins, and although this is not a license to do anything I want, I know that I have been cleansed, forgiven, and saved. It’s all thanks to the sacrifice that Jesus willingly went through. As one Christian song says: Thank You for the cross, Lord / Thank You for the nail-pierced hand! I know that I am forever secure in God’s arms. There is hope for everyone who trusts in Jesus. There is a chance for renewal, cleansing, forgiveness, and a fresh start at life!