THINK TOGETHER
What would you do if someone gave you a suitcase full of money?
READ TOGETHER
Yesterday we talked about how when we receive Jesus as our savior we become joined to his death on the cross. What this means is that the sinful inside part of us is dead. It has been crucified with Jesus. If you want to be like Jesus the first step is to KNOW that you are no longer controlled by your sin. All your sins are forgiven and you don’t have to choose to do bad things anymore.
The second step to being like Jesus is to take what you know about your connection to Jesus and then think about yourself in this new way. Here’s how Paul says it in Romans chapter 6:
Romans 6:11. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.
Paul uses the word consider. This word means to count, or to add something up. If gave you a suitcase full of money what would you do? The first thing you might do is scream and shout and throw the money in the air, or roll around in it. You would KNOW that you have a whole lot of money. In the same way we KNOW that we have Jesus and all that is his. But then you would count the money, right? You would consider how much money you have by counting it, and organizing it, and maybe putting it into a bank or a safe place. You would start to consider how you will spend the money too.
In the same way we need to not only KNOW that we have Jesus, we need to CONSIDER how we will live now that we have Jesus. We are dead to sin and alive to God. Do you count yourself as rich on the inside because of Jesus? Or do you act like you have nothing and try to get everything for yourself? With Jesus you always have everything you need. Forgiveness. Love. And the power to love others too. Now you can consider yourself as alive to God in Jesus Christ.
Because of Jesus you are dead to sin and alive to God.
With Jesus you always have everything you need.
DO SOMETHING TOGETHER
Watch the movie Annie. When Annie came to Daddy Warbucks’ house she wanted to “earn her keep.” She was still living as though she is poor, even though she was rich. She has to CONSIDER herself rich not poor.
PRAY TOGETHER
Jesus, I’m so glad I’m united to you. Your death to sin is mine and your life to God is mine too. Help me to remember this today and every day. Amen.
TLICfamily 