Considerate

Romans 6:11 (ESV) So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

If you call out to a dead person they do not answer. If sin calls out to us we have to consider a number of things in order to decide whether or not to respond. What Paul is saying here in this verse is that you do not have to respond to sin just because it calls to you. It no longer has any power over you and you are free to ignore sin.

The primary definition of consideration is careful thought, typically over a period of time. It is said to be similar to deliberation, reflection, contemplation and cognition. It has a secondary meaning which is payment or reward.

Romans 6:23 (ESV) For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Do we consider this when sin comes knocking?

1 Corinthians 6:20 (KJV) For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Do we consider this when sin comes knocking?

Ezekiel 33:31 (ESV) And they come to you as people come, and they sit before you as my people, and they hear what you say but they will not do it; for with lustful talk in their mouths they act; their heart is set on their gain.

Do you consider that others that try and tempt you only want to use you? They have no real love for you. If you see that how do you respond?

Luke 6:28 (ESV) bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.

Do you consider how the Lord wants you to act on these occasions?

Ephesians 4:29 (ESV) Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Being Human

1 Corinthians 1:20 English Standard Version (ESV) Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?

Human beings are being human. Our genes classification is Homo Sapiens which means wise man. It is inherent within our order to consider ourselves wiser than all other species. It is also a survival instinct to consider ourselves wiser than other human beings. The motto for the TV game show Survivor is “Out wit, out last, out play”. It is human to want to survive.

Romans 6:11 (ESV) So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Conventional wisdom will say that we are lying to ourselves to consider ourselves dead. Conventional wisdom or worldly wisdom does not want to include sin as an issue. We all sin so therefor we are all alive. This attitude voids the issue of a life in Christ. Please note carefully the last sentence of 1 Cor. 1:20 where it announces God made worldly wisdom foolish. God does that, we do not.

Psalm 24:3-4 English Standard Version (ESV)

Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?
    And who shall stand in his holy place?
He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
    who does not lift up his soul to what is false
    and does not swear deceitfully.

If we were to lift up our souls to say we are not human that would be false. If we said we have no sin, it would be a lie. Ascending the hill of the Lord has to begin with honesty. “I am a sinner, forgive me.” His response is “You are forgiven, step forward.” There I go again, got my hands dirty. “I am a sinner, forgive me.” His response is “You are forgiven, step forward.”

Upward progress can only be made by human beings because of God’s grace and mercy and not by anything we ourselves have accomplished.

Daily Christian Devotionals