Today's Reading: Romans 8:12-27
Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 14:47-15:9; Acts 24:1-23
For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. (Romans 8:13)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Get up and go to church or sleep 'til noon? Read your Bible for a bit and meditate on God's Word or spend another half hour doing nothing on the internet? Sit and talk with your parents or go text your friends more short and useless messages? Sometimes we are taught to make choices that don't let us do what we want to do. When we learn to do what the Lord wants rather than what we always want, that's part of what it means to “put to death the deeds of the body.” But how does that work for you? If it's up to us to crucify our sinful flesh, we don't want to make the effort or have the pain.
The best way to “put to death the deeds of the body” is the way the Spirit does it. He does it by drowning them. He drowns our evil deeds in the waters that poured from Christ's side. He drowns them by Holy Baptism.
To live according to the flesh means doing whatever you want as if there is no such thing as sin. As if there are no consequences for your actions. As if ignoring God and ignoring your neighbor won't stir up God's wrath!
But your sins DO stir up God's wrath and anger and punishment. But not upon you. The Father's anger and judgment against all that you do to despise Him and sin against Him He kills. In His Son. On the Cross. There Jesus carries the deeds of your bodies. Your sins. And He dies for them and takes them away.
Then He pours out His Spirit upon you by Baptism and through the Word. Every day, living in that forgiveness, receiving it from your pastor and at Christ's altar, your evil deeds are put to death and the Spirit makes you live. So make the sign of the holy Cross today and remember the name put upon you in Baptism and know that the evil you do is daily being put to death and the Spirit is bringing to life the new you for His glory and the benefit and blessing of your neighbor. In the Name of Jesus. Amen.
O Christian, firmly hold this gift And give God thanks forever! It gives the power to uplift In all that you endeavor. When nothing else revives your soul, Your Baptism stands and makes you whole And then in death completes you. (LSB 596:5)