Romans 7:1-6: 5 Day Devotional

Day 1: Standing on the Solid Rock
Devotional
Have you ever felt like you're trying to build your life on shifting sand? In a world of constant change and uncertainty, we all long for something solid to stand upon. The good news is that in Christ, we have found that unshakable foundation. The apostle Paul understood this reality deeply. In Romans 7, he explains how we've been released from the burden of trying to earn God's approval through rule-following. Instead, through Christ's death and resurrection, we've been given a new identity and a new relationship with God. This is what sets Christianity apart from every other belief system. While other worldviews demand that we earn our way to acceptance through proper behavior, voting, or thinking, the Christian faith offers something radically different: grace. When we place our faith in Jesus, we're no longer defined by our failures or achievements. We're defined by our relationship with Him. We stand not on the shifting sands of our performance but on the solid rock of Christ's finished work. Today, take a moment to reflect on where you're placing your trust. Are you standing on the solid rock of Christ, or are you trying to build your life on the sinking sand of your own efforts? Remember that in Christ, you have a foundation that will never fail.

Bible Verse
"Do you not know, brothers and sisters—for I am speaking to those who know the law—that the law has authority over someone only as long as that person lives?" - Romans 7:1

Reflection Question
In what areas of your life might you still be trying to earn God's approval through your own efforts rather than resting in what Christ has already done for you?

Quote
"On Christ the solid rock I stand all other ground is sinking sand all other ground is sinking sand."

Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank you for being my solid rock. Forgive me for the times I try to stand on my own efforts rather than on your finished work. Help me to rest in your grace today and to live from the security of knowing I am yours. Amen.

Day 2: From Death to Life
Devotional
Death is typically seen as an ending, but in God's economy, it can mark a beautiful beginning. When we come to Christ, something remarkable happens—we participate in a divine exchange. Our old life, bound by sin and the law, comes to an end. In its place, we receive Christ's resurrection life. Paul explains in Romans 6 that through baptism, we are united with Christ in both His death and resurrection. This isn't just symbolic language; it's a spiritual reality that transforms everything about our existence. Our old self has been crucified with Christ, and now we live in the power of His resurrection. This transformation isn't about trying harder to follow rules. The law could never produce the righteousness we needed—it could only show us our failure. But now, having died to what once bound us, we serve in the new way of the Spirit rather than the old way of written code. When we grasp this truth, it changes how we approach our daily lives. We no longer strive to please God through our own efforts. Instead, we learn to live from the new identity He has given us, allowing His Spirit to produce His character within us. Today, remember that you have died with Christ to your old life, and you have been raised with Him to walk in newness of life. You are no longer defined by your past or bound by your failures. You are alive in Christ!

Bible Verse
"For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—because anyone who has died has been set free from sin." - Romans 6:6-7

Reflection Question
How might your daily life look different if you fully embraced the reality that you have died to sin and are now alive to God in Christ Jesus?

Sermon Quote 
Christ's death becomes our death, and then Christ's brand new life becomes our brand new life.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for the new life I have in Christ. Help me to live today in the reality of my death to sin and my resurrection to new life. May your Spirit empower me to walk in this newness of life, reflecting your character in all I do. Amen.

Day 3: Bearing His Name
Devotional
Names carry significance. They represent identity, heritage, and belonging. In ancient times, to bear someone's name meant you were under their authority and protection. It signified a relationship. When we come to faith in Jesus, we receive a new name: Christian. This name first appeared in Antioch, as recorded in Acts 11:26, when believers were called "Christians" or "little Christs." Far from being just a religious label, this name represents our new identity and relationship with Jesus Christ. To be a Christian means we belong to Christ. We are His. We carry His name with us everywhere we go—to our workplaces, our homes, our social gatherings. This isn't a burden but a privilege. It's the most valuable title we could ever have. When God looks at us, He doesn't see our failures or shortcomings. He sees us clothed in Christ's righteousness. We've been adopted into His family, given the privileges of sons and daughters. As Romans 8:17 tells us, we are now "heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ." This new identity transforms how we live. We no longer strive to earn God's approval or the world's acceptance. Instead, we live from the security of knowing we are His beloved children, bearing His name with honor. Today, remember the privilege of bearing Christ's name. Let it shape how you see yourself and how you interact with the world around you.

Bible Verse
"The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch." - Acts 11:26b

Reflection Question
How does knowing that you bear Christ's name—that you are His representative in this world—influence the choices you make and the way you treat others?

Sermon Quote 
You are a Christian. You carry his name with you everywhere you go. It's the most valuable title you could ever have. It's the name of your Savior, it's the name of your Lord, the name of the groom, the bride of Christ.

Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank you for the privilege of bearing your name. Help me to represent you well in this world. May my words, actions, and attitudes reflect your character and bring honor to your name. Remind me daily that I belong to you and that this is my most precious identity. Amen.

Day 4: Access to the Father
Devotional
One of the most profound privileges we have as believers is direct access to God. Think about that for a moment. The Creator of the universe, the Almighty God, invites us into His presence not as servants or subjects, but as beloved children. Before Christ, sin created a barrier between us and God. Like Adam and Eve hiding in the garden, our shame and guilt kept us at a distance. The law could only highlight this separation; it couldn't bridge the gap. But through Christ's sacrifice, everything changed. The veil was torn. The barriers came down. We now have bold access to the throne of grace. As Colossians 3 reminds us, our lives are now "hidden with Christ in God." We are positioned in Christ, who sits at the right hand of the Father. This access isn't based on our performance or worthiness. It's based entirely on what Jesus has done for us. Because we belong to Him, we can approach God with confidence, knowing that we are fully accepted and deeply loved. When we pray, we're not speaking to a distant deity or an impersonal force. We're speaking to our Father who knows us intimately and loves us completely. We have access to His wisdom, His comfort, His strength, and His love in a way that was not possible before Christ. Today, don't take this privilege for granted. Draw near to God with confidence, knowing that in Christ, you always have access to the Father's heart.

Bible Verse
"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God." - Colossians 3:1-3

Reflection Question
How might your prayer life change if you truly believed that you have complete access to God as His beloved child?

Sermon Quote
Our sin expelled us from the garden. Our sin now separates us from Christ. But Jesus grants us access to our Father and our Creator and the lover of our souls.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for the incredible privilege of access to your presence. Thank you that through Jesus, I can come to you anytime, anywhere, with anything. Help me to live in the reality of this relationship, drawing near to you with confidence and trust. May I never take for granted the access I have to your love, wisdom, and power. Amen.

Day 5: The Promise of Eternity
Devotional
Life in this world can be challenging. We face disappointments, losses, and struggles that sometimes make us wonder if our faith really makes a difference. In these moments, we need to lift our eyes beyond our present circumstances to the glorious future that awaits us. The promise of heaven isn't just a consolation prize for enduring a difficult life. It's the culmination of God's redemptive plan—the moment when everything broken will be restored, everything painful will be healed, and everything unclear will be understood. In Ephesians 5, Paul gives us a glimpse of Christ's ultimate purpose for His church. He is preparing us as a bride, making us holy and blameless, to present us to Himself in splendor. This isn't something we accomplish through our own efforts. It's His work in us, and He will complete what He has begun. This promise gives us hope when life feels overwhelming. It reminds us that our current struggles are temporary, but our future with Christ is eternal. As the psalmist wrote, "The death of his saints is precious in the eyes of the Lord." Our homegoing is not a tragedy but a triumph—the moment when we finally see our Savior face to face. Today, whatever you're facing, remember that this is not the end of your story. Christ has saved you, He is carrying you through this life, and He will present you perfect before the Father. This is His promise, and He always keeps His word.

Bible Verse
"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless." - Ephesians 5:25-27

Reflection Question
How does the promise of eternity with Christ change your perspective on the challenges you're facing today?

Sermon Quote
The promise of heaven is the eternal proof of the unassailable authority of our risen Savior. It is the final triumph, good over evil of life over death, that we will see our Savior face to face and we will be with him forever.

Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank you for the promise of eternity with you. When life feels overwhelming, help me to fix my eyes on the future you have prepared for me. Thank you that you will carry me through this life and present me perfect before the Father. Fill me with hope and joy as I look forward to the day when I will see you face to face. Until then, help me to live faithfully as your witness in this world. Amen.