OceanSide church of Christ

Read devotionals for April 2026

May 1, 2026

Romans 6:6, 7 -Knowing this, that our old man of sin is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin.

Thought: To come to Christ, we have to put to death “our old man of sin.” This old man gave himself to sin. Satan was his taskmaster. It is interesting that Paul says this man must be crucified. He must be put to death. The body of sin must be destroyed. This is done in the act of repentance. That action begins in the mind and changes behavior. From that point onward we “should not serve sin.” Sin is no longer part of our life. We are “freed from sin.”

Galatians 2:20

May 2, 2026

Romans 6:8 – Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him.

Thought: Death is never an easy thing. Death always involves a separation. Those who are converted to Christ must separate themselves from a life in service to sin. This can be extremely difficult. It involves an act of will on the part of the individual. One crucifies himself with his lusts and desires. On the other side of death, however, there are blessings for the faithful. Yes, we die with Christ, but “we believe that we shall also live with him.”

Colossians 3:1-4

May 3, 2026

Romans 6:9 - Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.

Thought: Paul notes that Jesus was raised from dead to die “no more.” This is what makes the resurrection of Christ unique. It is what makes His resurrection the first of its kind. Others had been raised from the dead before Jesus’ resurrection. However, all of those individuals had to die again. Jesus was raised never to die again. “Death hath no more dominion over him.” As the firstfruits from the dead, Jesus is the promise of more to follow.

1 Corinthians 15:22-23

May 4, 2026

Romans 6:10 – For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.

Thought: Jesus died. Now, Jesus lives. He died for a purpose. He died because of the sins of the world. Paul informs his readers that Jesus “died to sin once.” This stands in marked contrast to the millions of animals that died under the Old Testament. Jesus, however, did not stay in the tomb of Joseph. He rose on the third day and continues to life today. Paul tells us that “he liveth unto God.” Jesus continues to serve the Father in multiple roles.

Hebrews 9:25-26

May 5, 2026

Romans 6:11 – Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Thought: Just as Jesus died physically, we are to die spiritually. We are to die to sin. When someone is dead, his life is taken away. A dead man does not move. In like manner, if a person has died to sin, he no longer participates in sinful, worldly activities. That old man of sin was supposed to be buried in baptism. When we rose from baptism, we were new creatures in Christ. As Paul puts it, we are “alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Colossians 3:3-5

May 6, 2026

Romans 6:12 – Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.

Thought: Do Christians sin from time to time? Absolutely. The difference between a Christian and non-Christian is that the child of God does not allow sin to “reign” within him. Strong defines the word “reign” as “to rule.” Thayer defines the word as “to exercise kingly power over, to exercise the highest influence, to control.” A life given over to sin is much different than a life that slips and occasionally sins. Sin does not rule the Christian’s life.

Psalm 19:13

May 7, 2026

Romans 6:13 – Neither yield your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

Thought: There are two ways that Christians can use their bodies. They can yield their members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin. Or, they can yield their members as instruments of righteousness unto God. How a person lives is his choice. The child of God must remember, however, that in Christ he has been made alive from the dead. He was dead in sins, but in conversion he was made alive in Christ. Thus, he should yield himself to God.

Colossians 2:12-13

May 8, 2026

Romans 6:14, 15 – For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

Thought: Under the law of Moses, sin was ever present before the children of Israel. The blood of bulls and goats could not take away sin. Their sins were remembered each year on the Day of Atonement. Under the New Testament, the grace of God removed all sin. Jesus’ blood washed them away completely. Some reasoned that such grace would permit more sin. Paul fought against this reasoning. “Shall we sin because we are under grace? God forbid.”

Galatians 3:23-25

May 9, 2026

Romans 6:16 – Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

Thought: Paul affirms a statement he made previously. There are two choices as to the life human beings can live while on earth. One life involves being a servant of sin. The other involves one’s being a servant of righteousness. A person does not have to verbalize his choice to make it. “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey?” One’s lifestyle, not his words, reveals his master to all.

2 Peter 2:19

May 10, 2026

Romans 6:17 – But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

Thought: There is a wealth of information in this verse. Several words and phrases stand out: thanked, were, but, obeyed from the heart, and form of doctrine. Paul notes their past as servants of sin. But, they changed by truly, sincerely, and genuinely obeying what Paul delivered. They obeyed that “form of doctrine.” That form follows the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. They died to sin, were buried in baptism, and rose as new creatures.

Colossians 2:11-13

May 11, 2026

Romans 6:18 – Being then free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

Thought: An important word in this verse “then.” The word means “at that time.” These words tie directly back into Paul’s word of verse 17. The Romans had “obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine.” At that time, they were freed from sin and became servants of righteousness. The Romans believed in the Christ, but they also obeyed in order to receive forgiveness. Paul destroys the doctrine of salvation by faithful only with the word “then.”

Acts 2:38

May 12, 2026

Romans 6:19 – I speak after the manner of man because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

Thought: Paul’s words “after the manner of men,” indicate that he was speaking in a plain, easily understood manner.” He exhorts them to give the same attention, the same concern, and the same diligent to their Christian lives as they had given to their lives of sin. In the past, they yielded their members as “servants to uncleanness and to iniquity to iniquity.” Now, they needed to yield their “members servants to righteousness unto holiness.”

1 Peter 4:2-3

May 13, 2026

Romans 6:20, 21 – For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.

Thought: Sometime it’s good to remember our past lives of sin. This is especially true if we have any desire to return to those things. Paul notes five things about the past lives of the Romans. They were “servants of sin.” They were “free from righteousness.” The fruit of their sin was heinous and vile. That type of living brings shame. And, “the end of those things is death.” Who would long to return to a life of sin. There is nothing positive associated with it.

Galatians 5:19-21

May 14, 2026

Romans 6:22 – But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

Thought: It is also good for children of God to appreciate the blessings that they have in Christ Jesus. Paul lists four blessings in this verse. First, Christians have been made free from sin. Jesus’ blood cleansed every stain of iniquity. Second, instead of being servants to Satan, they have become servants to God. He is a kind and loving Master. Third, their lives produce fruit unto holiness. There’s no shame in them. Fourth, they have everlasting life.

Galatians 5:22-23