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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
May 15, 2026
Romans 6:23 – For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Thought: There are three contrasts set forth by Paul in this verse. The first contrast is wages versus gift. The second contrast is sin versus God. The third contrast is death versus eternal life. These are the alternatives that exist for all men. We are free to choose the things we desire. Those who choose the gift, God, and eternal life must understand that they are only available through Jesus Christ. They come through His work and His divine will alone.
Galatians 6:7-8
May 16, 2026
Romans 7:1 – Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?
Thought: Paul states a very simple principle with which every Jew would have agreed. The law has dominion over a man as long as he lives. Every Jewish male was circumcised on the eighth day. He entered into a covenant relationship with God. It was his responsibility to be faithful to God for the remainder of his life. Only his death would free him from his obligations found under the Law of Moses. Again, this was a non-controversial principle.
Deuteronomy 6:1-2
May 17, 2026
Romans 7:2 – For the woman which hath a husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.
Thought: Here, Paul sets forth an example of the principle he laid out in verse 1. A woman who had a husband was bound by the law to her husband as long as he was alive. There was not one Jew who would disagree with that statement. Too, if her husband died, she was loosed from the law of her husband. Death brought an end to the marriage. The bond of marriage and the bond of the Jews to the Mosaic law were lifetime commitments unto death.
1 Corinthians 7:39
May 18, 2026
Romans 7:3 – So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.
Thought: Individuals are bound by law for life. If a person violates the law, he commits sin. It is true in the marriage relationship. A husband and wife are bound by the law for life. “So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress.” Sadly, our world does not understand this teaching. Divorce and remarriage is rampant. Adulterous marriages fill our society. “Till death do us part” is not honored.
Matthew 5:32
May 19, 2026
Romans 7:4 – Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.
Thought: The purpose of the first three verses of Romans 7 is found in this verse and the ones to follow. The Jews had been under the Law of Moses for hundreds of years. As long as that law was alive, they should serve it. However, if the law of Moses was dead, they were loosed from it and could obligate themselves to another law. “Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another.”
Colossians 2:14
May 20, 2026
Romans 7:5 – For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.
Thought: Paul continually reminds his readers of the type of life they used to live before they obeyed the gospel. He refers to this life as one lived “in the flesh.” Its motions involved the transgression of God’s law. The result of a life lived in sin was death. Paul wants the Romans to contemplate that they were versus what they had become. A life in the flesh is not everything it promises. Death is the only true outcome. Is this the life they desired?
Titus 3:3
May 21, 2026
Romans 7:6 – But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.
Thought: The law of Moses manifested the sinfulness of man. It put a magnifying glass on the evils of sin. However, sin could not be removed under the Old Law. Thus, Jesus came to remove that law and replace it with the law of liberty. Paul informs this readers that this had taken place. They were now “delivered from the law.” That law that once held them is now dead. Now, they served God “in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.”
Galatians 3:23-25
May 22, 2026
Romans 7:7 – What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.
Thought: The law of Moses put a spotlight on sin. When someone transgressed the law, it condemned him. Too, there was no forgiveness found in the Old Covenant. All of these “negatives” could cause some to ask: “Is the law sin?” Paul answered immediately with the words: “God forbid.” The law enabled a person to clearly recognize sin. Paul even gives an illustration: “…for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.”
Exodus 20:17
May 23, 2026
Romans 7:8 – But sin, taking occasion by the commandment wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.
Thought: Law is something that is essential for man’s well-being. However, when there is a law, sin takes advantage of the commandment. Sin appeals to man’s longings, passions, and desires. This is what Paul is referring to when he says sin “wrought in me all manner of concupiscence.” The evil one wants us to desire that which is forbidden. He wants us to lust after things that are evil. Satan uses the law as a tool. Without the law sin would be dead.
James 1:14-15
May 24, 2026
Romans 7:9, 10 – For I was alive without the law once; but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.
Thought: Is Paul referring to a specific time in his life? Or, is the apostle trying to emphasize a principle. The principle is that where there is no law there is no sin. Where there is law, sin lives, and the penalty of sin is death. The fault is not in the law, in this case, the Law of Moses. It was ordained to life. It man kept the law, he could live. Man, however, violated the law. In so doing, he was condemned to death. Man stood in need of a law of liberty.
Galatians 3:10
May 25, 2026
Romans 7:11 – For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.
Thought: Paul’s words here had been played out in the temptation of Eve in the garden. God had given the couple a plain command (Gen. 2:16-17). Satan took that command and deceived the woman into partaking of the fruit. Satan lied about the effects of the command. He also lied as to the purpose of the command. “…but the woman being deceived was in the transgression” (1 Tim. 2:14). Once the law was violated, the law demanded punishment.
Genesis 3:1-6
May 26, 2026
Romans 7:12, 13 – Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.
Thought: Sin brings death. And, sin is closely connected to the law. In fact, sin is the violation of the law. Because of the close association between sin and the law, some reasoned that the law was evil. Paul disposes of that idea. The law is “holy, and just, and good.” The evil is sin. Sin springs from the desires of the human being. When temptation comes, the individual has a choice, to obey or disobey. Sin works death. The law is holy.
Psalm 19:7-11
May 27, 2026
Romans 7:14 – For we know that the law is spiritual; but I am carnal, sold under sin.
Thought: Again, Paul clearly reveals that death and condemnation lie within man. They have nothing to do with the law. “The law is spiritual.” The law comes from the mind of God. The law is designed for man’s good. In the keeping of the law, there is great reward. Man, however, is carnal. He succumbs to the lusts of the eyes, the lusts of the flesh, and the pride of life. When he yields, he commits sin. Under the Mosaic law, he was “sold under sin.”
Joshua 1:8
May 28, 2026
Romans 7:15 – For that which I do, I allow not: for what I would, that I do not; but what I hate, that I do.
Thought: There are things that are not permitted by God. We know they are not allowed, but we do them. There are things that God has commanded us to do. Those, however, we often do not. There are many things God wants us to hate. Yet, the thing we should hate are the things we do. This is the spiritual battle that goes on within every human being. It shows the weakness of the flesh. Sin seems to dominate our lives. How do we overcome?
Galatians 5:17
May 29, 2026
Romans 7:16, 17 – If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
Thought: When we agree that something the law says is wrong, and we still do it, it doesn’t make the law evil. In fact, knowing it is wrong affirms the teaching of the law. As Paul says: “I consent unto the law that it is good.” Paul then affirms the fact that we are two beings: a spiritual man and a fleshly man. The spiritual man affirms the goodness of the law. The fleshly man, however, disobeys the law. We often let the carnal override the spiritual.
Psalm 119:128
May 30, 2026
Romans 7:18 – For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
Thought: The spiritual man longs to do the will of God, but the carnal man, desires to fulfill its fleshly wants. These two things war within the hearts of all men and women. “…for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.” In the fight, we must make a choice. Our choice involves many things: our love, our loyalty, our fruit, our consequences, and our ultimate destination. Awareness helps us gain the victory over sin.
Galatians 5:24-25
May 31, 2026
Romans 7:19, 20 – For the good that I would, I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
Thought: The law of God sets a choice before every human being. It calls upon us to do good. It also exhorts us to refrain from evil. Within the mind of man there is a conflict. The individual knows that doing God’s will is the right thing to do. However, he also has desires. Often these desires conflict with God’s law. Paul refers to this battle as a struggle between the person and sin. It is the war that rages between every human being and the evil one.
Matthew 26:14-16
Read devotionals for June 2026