Doctrinal—Experiential

📖 “Ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.” —Romans 6:17

The only solid foundation for a Christ-honoring life is faith in the unshakable truths of God’s Word. Our experiences must flow from sound doctrine, not the other way around. Paul reminded Timothy that good doctrine nourishes the soul and equips us for faithful service (1 Tim. 4:6,13).

The devotional emphasizes that our death to sin was fully accomplished at the Cross. We shared in Christ’s death, and the life we now live is resurrection life—newness of life in Him. This isn’t something we strive to achieve but something we reckon as already true (Rom. 6:11). The believer’s relationship to sin and the law has been entirely redefined in Christ. Our part is to align our minds with what God has already accomplished and yield to Him as He brings it into our daily experience.

Personal Journal Reflection

Father, I see how easily I drift into making my experience the gauge of truth instead of anchoring myself in what You have declared. But You have made it clear: my death to sin was fully accomplished at the Cross. There’s no unfinished business, no process of dying daily to the old man—he is already crucified. My place is to reckon it so and walk in the reality of my resurrection life in Christ.

How many times have I allowed my emotions to dictate what I think is true? If I feel weak, I assume I am weak. If I stumble, I wonder if I’ve somehow stepped outside of Your grace. But You have never called me to assess my standing based on how I perceive things—only on what You have already established. My old self was nailed to the Cross with Jesus, and the life I now live is His life in me. It’s not something I have to muster up; it is something to which I simply yield.

I think about a train running on tracks. The engine—the truth of what You have accomplished—pulls everything forward. My faith is like the coupling that keeps me connected to the engine. My emotions? They’re like the caboose, tagging along but never meant to drive the train. When I forget that, I derail myself, trying to feel dead to sin instead of just accepting that it is already finished.

Lord, I trust You. I choose today to align my thinking with Your reality. I have died with Christ. I have risen with Christ. And now, I am alive to You. I step forward in this day not trying to become what You say I am, but simply being who You have already made me in Christ.

Thank You for the sufficiency of Your work. Thank You that I don’t have to make myself more dead to sin or more alive to You—it’s all been settled. My part is to trust, yield, and let You live Your life through me.

Amen.

📸 Photo Credit: Unsplash
📖 Devotional Credit: Abide Above