What recurring sin or bad habit do you consistently fall into? What behavior is holding you down with shame, leaving you to wonder whether you’ll ever prevail over it?

You’ve gotten to the point that you dare not even speak with God about it anymore, yet you desperately need – desperately want – His forgiveness and His help to overcome it.

Every one of us struggles with some sin area that seems nearly impossible to resist. The devil is mean like that. And when we fall into his snare, believing that there is no hope for us to experience the victory Christ provided, he’s filled with glee.

But Satan’s glee turns to horror when he sees us walk in the power that is provided to us through Christ’s resurrection: “We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4 ESV).

What if we chose to turn Satan’s glee to horror on a regular basis? What if we went deeper with Christ by spending more time with Him and His Word, rather than less (because we’re so ashamed)? A closer relationship with our Savior will help us become more sensitive to His Spirit so that we’re able to choose to die to sinful behavior, (including those we justify).

Can you imagine how differently we would live our lives if we really viewed ourselves as being buried with Christ in baptism (dying to our old ways) and then seeing ourselves walking in the newness of life? A completely new way of living each day – a life that triumphs over sin and shame?

Let’s pray.

Risen Savior, remind me to never avoid speaking with You, especially when I need You the most during those times when I’m tempted to sin against You – and after I’ve failed You. Help me to share Your ferocious hatred for sin and anything that steals my heart from You. Then, let me witness Your tremendous love, mercy and compassion – and experience Your life-changing resurrection power in me every day. Amen.

What about you?

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• In what ways have you experienced newness of life in Christ?

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