January 11

Keep It Clean

Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness (Romans 6:13).

Scripture: Romans 6:1-14

Song: “Lord, Make Us Instruments of Your Peace”

Surgeons thoroughly wash their hands before performing an operation. However, the doctor’s hands are not the only things that must be cleansed before surgery commences. All the tools—scalpels and scissors, rasps and rongeurs, lancets and ligature devices —must be sanitized beforehand. Can you imagine the horrified reaction a patient would have if the surgeon washed his hands but neglected to clean the implements?

Jesus invites us to rid our lives of sin. In Him, we are made new. The old life characterized by slavery to sin is removed. In its place, He gives us a life of freedom, a life alive to God, a life characterized by righteousness.

Because we are not yet perfect, it can be easy for us to try to justify our sin. That is not how those who have died in Christ and been raised with Him are meant to live. We are meant to be pure and righteous in every domain of life. Just like the surgeon must remove every impurity from the implements of his trade, so does God require that we present every part of our life to Him as an instrument of righteousness for service in His kingdom.

Father, please give us strength and courage to walk in righteousness in every area of our lives. Fill us with the light of Your ways and the fruit of Your Spirit. Through Christ, amen.