My watch has problems syncing with its mobile app. Periodically it’ll completely fail to sync so I have to return it to its default settings to reboot it and get it working again. The bug causing the syncing problem is gone but with it any progress or growth I’d accumulated is also erased.
Our default setting as humans isn’t the best. The bible tells us that we’re all sinners (Romans 3:23), our hearts are deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9), and “nothing good dwells” within us (Romans 7:18). We’re naturally bent towards the flesh. We’re naturally inclined away from God. We have a syncing problem.
Enter Jesus.
Sin is no longer our default position: “If Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness.” (Romans 8:10) If we have issues syncing with our Heavenly Father due to anger, pride, unforgiveness, bitterness, jealousy, or any other kind of sin, the default position we now return to is “in Christ.”
The phrase “in Christ” is used approximately 140 times in the Bible with around 35 being in relation to our identity. The only way to deal with sin was to condemn it in the flesh. Jesus takes our condemnation for us and gives us life. If you are in Christ, then through him, the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.
The death and resurrection of Christ is our once and for all reboot.
Anytime a syncing issue arises, we point straight back to the cross. Straight back to Jesus. Straight back to the victory He won for us to be free from bugs and sin.
In Romans, Paul talks about the ‘law’ in various ways: Referring to God’s law or standards; A general principle; A force or power. In this instance, it’s the last one. The power of the Spirit who gives life has set us free from the power of sin and death. We free from the actual power of sin – it can’t bug us anymore.
Why?
“The Spirit of God lives in you” (v.9) which makes you God’s child, co-heir with Christ, sharing in His sufferings “that we may also share in His glory.” (v.17)
Thank You, Jesus.
Amen?!