For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!

When we live in the world, temptation to sin can be all around us. And sin is a trap, it is a downward spiral of selfishness that leads to the destruction of the person, the family unit, and society as a whole. The law exposed sin for what it was — destructive evil. And Jesus ushered in an age of redemption by faith for all who believe.

I think of those playground spinning wheels. If you get going fast enough, you have to hold on tight to the bars on the wheel or you will fly off. It is like the wheel is the truth about life and God. We must hold onto it or we fall outside of God’s grace and love and begin competing with the world to try and compare our worth based on the law and works.

This is why Paul says here that he died to the law. Its power over him to constantly point out his sin and bring judgment is gone. Jesus redeemed him and set him free. He died with Christ (put to death the life lived in sin trying to gain approval based on works), and he rose with Christ (he lives a new life with God’s Spirit inside him). He doesn’t need to try harder to do good, he just needs to let Jesus come in and heal his heart and then he will be compelled to do good naturally.

That is the transformation journey we can be on, if we hold onto the truth in the Bible, my friends. We naturally, through the power of Jesus, focus on being good and seeking ways to love beyond our own abilities.

Lord, thank you for this incredible power through your salvation made available to me. Teach me to walk in it daily, clinging to you.