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instruments of righteousness

"For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God." Romans 6:10-13

Presenting my "members" as "instruments of righteousness to God" is something I should strive to do. This verse made me think about how I am living - am I letting sin reign? Do I volunteer and sign-up for service to sin? Or am I seeking to be an instrument of righteousness to God. The word "instrument" reminded me of a very good book - Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands by Paul David Tripp. Full of Scripture, the book challenged me and Don to be Biblical in our relationships and to think about true fellowship and what that looks like. It challenged us to live out the book's title and be "instruments" to be used by the Redeemer. We can't change ourselves - much less others - for God's glory. But we can, by His grace, sign up and show up for service to God. To present ourselves fully to be instruments in His hands and may He use us for His glory.

So the question to ponder for me today - will I do this? Will I make an effort throughout the craziness of today to obey God's word, trust His promises and be His instrument? Will I build up my house or tear it down with my own hands? "Lord, help me to be dead to sin and present my whole being today to be an instrument of righteousness to You."

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