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OceanSide church of Christ
Read devotionals for May 2026
June 1, 2026
Romans 7:22, 23 – For I delight in the law of God after the inward man; but I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
Thought: Paul continues to describe the spiritual battle that rages within each human being. It is a battle between God’s law and the law of sin, a battle between knowledge and desire, and between obedience and disobedience. The law that wars against the law of God seeks to bring individuals into captivity to sin. This can happen to all human beings, even those who “delight in the law of God after the inward man.” This sinful state is not a happy one.
Genesis 3:1-3
June 2, 2026
Romans 7:24 – O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
Thought: How does man overcome his “sin problem”? There is that constant struggle between doing what the Lord commands and fulfilling the desires of the flesh. Sadly, we often yield. If we understand the evil of sin, the fruit of sin, and the consequences of sin, we will feel as Paul did: “O wretched man that I am!” Is there a way for us to be delivered from the body of this death? If there isn’t a positive answer, then man dies in his wretchedness.
Romans 3:10-12
June 3, 2026
Romans 7:25 – I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
Thought: Paul was deeply concerned about how he could be delivered from “the body of this death” in the previous verse. In this verse, he provides the answer. “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Jesus came to be the final sacrifice for sin. His perfect life and His divine nature and His precious blood enable all to conquer sin. He ends this chapter with a restatement of the battle. The mind serves the law of God. The flesh serves the law of sin.
Matthew 1:21
June 4, 2026
Romans 8:1 – There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Thought: Paul notes where salvation is found in this verse. It is found “in Christ.” If a person is in Christ, there is no condemnation. The reason there is no condemnation is because one has been cleansed from his sin by the precious blood of Christ. When he is cleansed, he is added by the Lord to the church, the home of the saved. Note that this freedom is not unconditional. He must continue to walk after the Spirit and not the flesh.
Titus 2:11-14
June 5, 2026
Romans 8:2 – For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Thought: There are many points found in this verse. First, we are under law today. The law is called “the law of the Spirit of life” in this text. Second, this law brings life not death. It is not a law like the Law of Moses which only brought condemnation once it was violated. Third, Paul tells us that this law made him free from the law of sin and death. Under the law of the Spirit of life, there was real forgiveness. Sins were not simply rolled forward.
James 1:25
June 6, 2026
Romans 8:3 – For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh.
Thought: The law was good, but man’s flesh was weak and disobeyed the law. And, once the Law of Moses was violated, there was nothing the law could do to save man. God changed that by “sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh…condemned sin in the flesh.” Jesus showed us how man was supposed to live under the law. His life condemned sin in the flesh. Notice, too, the words, “and for sin.” Jesus was sent for sin, that is, to forgive sin.
Acts 13:39
June 7, 2026
Romans 8:4 – That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Thought: To which law is Paul referring when he speaks of “the righteousness of the law”? the Law of Moses? Or, the law of the Spirit of life? The law of Moses pointed to the coming Christ, the new covenant, and the redemption to be found in Jesus. Those who adhered to the gospel, therefore, were fulfilling the righteousness of the law. Now, those who fulfilled the righteousness of the law were to walk after the Spirit and not after the flesh.
Isaiah 53:10-11
June 8, 2026
Romans 8:5, 6 – For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Thought: There are two mindsets found in the world. One rejects God and His teachings. These individuals live by fulfilling the desires of the flesh. The other accepts God and His teachings. These individuals obey the will of God found in the law of the Spirit. Those who are carnally minded are spiritually dead now and will face the second death in the hereafter. Those who are spiritually minded have life now and eternal life in the world to come.
Romans 6:23
June 9, 2026
Romans 8:7 – Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
Thought: There is a war that is constantly being fought on the earth. It involves every human being that exists. It is between the flesh and the spirit. It is the war between God and Satan. It is the war between good and evil. Those who embrace the carnal mind stand is opposition to God. These individuals refuse to be subject to the law of God. This mindset will never be subject to God’s law. It has to be put to death. That requires repentance.
James 4:4
June 10, 2026
Romans 8:8, 9 – So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
Thought: Individuals who continue to please the desires of the flesh cannot please God. However, it is possible for a person to be in the Spirit instead of in the flesh. This happens when a person is converted. The old man of sin is put to death. The convert arises from the waters of baptism as a new creature. He replaces the flesh with the Spirit of God. How does this Spirit reside in the new Christian? He resides through the law of the Spirit of life.
Colossians 1:10
June 11, 2026
Romans 8:10 – And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
Thought: In the previous two verses, Paul wrote about the Spirit dwelling in the Christian. In this verse, he opens with the words: “And if Christ be in you.” When Paul opened this chapter he noted that the Romans were to walk in harmony with the law of the Spirit of life. The words revealed by the Holy Spirit enter the heart of the Christian. Those who live by them have the presence of deity within them. Life is a key component of this indwelling.
Colossians 3:16
June 12, 2026
Romans 8:11 – But if the Spirit of him that raise up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Thought: The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have been involved in numerous activities since the Creation of the world. Each of them was working to bring the world into existence. Each one of them was involved in the redemption of fallen man. And, each of them are involved in the end time events. Here, we learn that the Spirit will be involved in giving life to our mortal bodies. All will be raised (John 5:28-29). However, only Christians will be raised to life.
John 6:40
June 13, 2026
Romans 8:12 – Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
Thought: A debtor is someone who owes another. Paul told the Romans, “we are debtors, not to the flesh.” He then explains how one pays such a debt, that is, “to live after the flesh.” The flesh has never done anything positive for man. The flesh has never blessed man. The flesh has never redeemed man. The flesh promises positive things, but only brings destruction, misery, and death. Why, therefore, do we live like we owe the flesh our all?
1 Peter 4:1-2
June 14, 2026
Romans 8:13 – For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
Thought: Here, Paul contrasts the results of two lifestyles. Those who live after the flesh shall die, but those who live after the Spirit shall live. Only a fool would choose the consequences of living after the flesh. A wise man would choose life in the hereafter. However, this can only be done if a person mortifies the deeds of the body. Paul says this is done “through the Spirit.” This is done by yielding one’s life to the teachings of the Spirit.
Colossians 3:5-6
June 15, 2026
Romans 8:14 – For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
Thought: When it comes to the Spirit of God, there are many false, unique, odd, and interesting ideas, theories, and doctrines that are manifested in the religious world. Here, the question is: “How are individuals led by the Spirit of God.” Some believe that it is a miraculous leading of the Spirit. It is really much more simple than that. The Spirit of God revealed the gospel to man. All those who hear and obey its teachings are the sons of God.
Galatians 3:26-27
June 16, 2026
Romans 8:15 – For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
Thought: We have two interesting spirits noted by the apostle Paul, the spirit of bondage and the Spirit of adoption. Bondage is associated with sin. Sin brings death which is a great fear of man. In contrast, the Spirit of God enables man to be cleansed of sins and adopted into the family God. In the family of God, we are privileged to be called the children of God. As children, we can boldly cry, Abba Father indicating the closeness of the relationship.
Mark 14:35-36
June 17, 2026
Romans 8:16 – The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.
Thought: Many believe that this verse involves some type of miraculous, supernatural working of the Holy Spirit upon the heart of man. Notice, two spirits are bearing witness that a person is a child of God. One of them is the human spirit. It can testify that it has completed all the demands God has required to be a child of God. In like manner, the Holy Spirit affirms the same by pointing men to what He revealed to be done in the New Covenant.
1 John 5:10
June 18, 2026
Romans 8:17 – And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
Thought: As children of God, we are “heirs, heirs of God.” This joins us with the Christ since He is the Son of God. We are “joint heirs with Christ.” The inheritance that awaits us cannot truly be fathomed by our finite minds. Part of our inheritance involves our being glorified together with God. Dear readers, in order to receive our inheritance, we might have to suffer. Our suffering, however, is worth the reward. All we can say is: “Wait and see.”
John 17:24
June 19, 2026
Romans 8:18 – For I reckon that the sufferings of this present world are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Thought: Here, Paul expands upon his thought from the previous verse. As Christians, we will suffer. We will suffer because the word hates the truth we both live and proclaim. Sometimes, the suffering we might experience is severe. It might cause us to doubt whether the Christian life is worth the suffering. Paul says: “Yes it is.” The sufferings of this present world pale in comparison to the glory which shall be revealed in us in the world to come.
Colossians 3:4
June 20, 2026
Romans 8:19 – For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
Thought: Paul writes some difficult words in Romans 8:19-23. The passage, however, does not need to be lifted from its context. Paul had been discussing the Christian’s being an heir and the anticipation of eternal glory to come. These things seem to be the substance of “the earnest expectation of the creature.” This expectation waits at this time. It will come transpire at the Second Coming and resurrection when the sons of God are manifested.
1 Peter 4:13
June 21, 2026
Romans 8:20 – For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope.
Thought: The Christian is “the creature” in this section of Romans. He notes that he has been “made subject to vanity.” In the immediate context, the apostle is discussing suffering. Why does the Christian suffer? He does not just voluntarily subject himself to affliction. The reason stems from the fact he has chosen to serve God. But, it is this same God that has provides hope to His children. Suffering and hope are results of being God’s children.
1 Peter 1:6-9
June 22, 2026
Romans 8:21 – Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
Thought: Again, the Christian is “the creature” in this part of Paul’s writing. In the previous verse, Paul noted the creature’s hope. Here, he expands on that hope. There will be a day when the suffering of God’s children will come to an end. The creature shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption. He will be freed from the earthly, temporal existence. When that transpires, he will enter “into the glorious liberty of the children of God” in heaven.
1 Peter 1:3-4
June 23, 2026
Romans 8:22 – For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together till now.
Thought: The fall of man brought suffering, pain, hardship, and death to all humanity. This suffering continues to plague man today. Man’s sin caused God to curse the earth. Figuratively, all the earth groans and travails in pain. Christians, however, cannot let the sufferings of this world discourage them. They must continue to live faithful, dedicated lives. They must remember that an inheritance awaits them as heirs of God. Yes, glory awaits!
Genesis 3:17-19
June 24, 2026
Romans 8:23 – And not only they, but ourselves also which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
Thought: Even though Christians have been redeemed, they suffer. The blessings that are theirs in Christ do not immune them from the pains of this life. “…even we ourselves groan within ourselves…” According to Paul, we must wait. We must be patient. Something is coming, that is, “the redemption of our body.” Our bodies will not always be fleshly and temporal and corruptible. One day this temporary tabernacle will take on incorruption.
1 Corinthians 15:42-44
June 25, 2026
Romans 8:24, 25 – For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth ye yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
Thought: In the previous verse, Paul noted that Christians are “waiting for adoption, to wit, the redemption of the body.” They patiently wait because they have hope. Hope is defined as deep desire and earnest expectation. The Christian hopes for things that cannot be seen at this time. Jesus’ return, the resurrection, an immortal body, heaven, and eternal life are part of this hope. We know these things are there. We desire them and expect to get them.
Proverbs 14:32
June 26, 2026
Romans 8:26 – Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought; but the Spirit maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Thought: Here we learn about one of the things the Holy Spirit does for the Christian. Notice, the Spirit does this “for” him and not “to” him. Paul says he helps our infirmities. There may be times in our lives that we know we need to pray and we do, but our prayers do not truly express the meaning we long for them to convey to the Father. In such times, “the Spirit maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot uttered.” This is grace!
2 Corinthians 5:4
June 27, 2026
Romans 8:27 – And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is in the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
Thought: In the previous verse, Paul noted that the Spirit makes intercession for the child of God when the Christian does not know how to pray as he ought. The Spirit’s involvement is important because “he that search the hearts,” which is God, “knoweth what is in the mind of the Spirit.” Even though we may not be able to completely verbalize our thoughts and express our emotions, they are still communicated to the Father. God hears our prayers.
Psalm 38:9
June 28, 2026
Romans 8:28 – And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Thought: This verse is often taken out of its context. The context tells us that in this life the Christian both groans and suffers. However, he has hope. The elements of his hope are not a reality now, but they exist. One day we will be delivered from the bondage of corruption and enter into our glorious liberty. Until then, we are faithful. We pray, even when it is difficult. Then, the Spirit intercedes. All of this works for the good of those who are called.
1 Peter 5:10
June 29, 2026
Romans 8:29 – For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Thought: Calvinists embrace a doctrine called predestination. In our verse today, we read the word “predestination.” The predestination of Calvinism is a predestination of individuals to heaven or hell. Is this what the Bible teaches? Paul tells us that God wants all men to be saved in 1 Timothy 2:4. How could this be the case if He was in charge and predestined only a few to be saved? The truth is that a group has been predestined, that is, those “in Christ.”
Mark 16:15-16
June 30, 2026
Romans 8:30 – Moreover, whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
Thought: Calvinism teaches that God only calls those whom He has predestined to eternal life. Yet, the call of the gospel is to be made known to all humanity. Think about that. God calls all men to come to Him, but He knows all men cannot come. This would be like tying a child to a tree and offering him to come and get some candy, but he is completely unable to do so. God predestinated those in Christ to be saved. He calls all to be part of this group.
Matthew 11:28-30
Read devotionals for July 2026