WHAT IS DOMINATING YOU?

As believers we are destined to dominate; not be dominated.

 Romans 6:14 – “For sin shall not have dominion over you; for you are not under law, but under grace”.

Allow me to paraphrase the above verse “For sin shall not have dominion over you; because you are under grace and not under law”.

When you are under the law, sin will have dominion over you; because the strength of sin is the law.  The law points out sin in your life and accuses you.  However, it cannot rescue you from sin.  But under grace sin will not have dominion over you.

How to know whether you are under law or grace?  You can self-test yourself using the following options: 

YOU ARE UNDER THE LAW IF……………………………..

You are ‘trying’ to keep the commandments of God.

If you are ‘trying’, then you are doing it in your own strength. 

You are busy confessing your sins (known and unknown) and pleading for forgiveness for ‘fear of punishment.’

Even if you are confessing your sins, you cannot guarantee that you have confessed all your sins. 

You are in guilt at all times because you are constantly wondering where or when you messed up.

You are under condemnation although Christ justified you through His blood.

You are trying to good deeds to compensate for your bad deeds.

You are living in self-righteousness; which is filthy rags in God’s sight.

You are ‘performing’ acts of righteousness to gain God’s approval.

You are undermining the sacrifice of Christ that gained God’s approval for you.

You are taking pride in living a righteous life.

You are like the Pharisee taking pride in your good works.

You are judging and condemning others that are not living up to your standards.

You are not walking in love.

You are not sure if you will go to heaven.

You are denying God’s Word that promises you eternal life.

You think you might lose your salvation.

You doubt God’s promise and you are living in disbelief.

 

YOU ARE UNDER GRACE IF ………………… 

You know and confess that you are a child of God.

You are calling upon God as your Father with no fear.

You know and confess that you are forgiven by God.

You are filled with gratitude for what God did for you.

You know that you are accepted by God through the Lord Jesus Christ.

You are boldly approaching the throne of grace.

You are relying on the Lord Jesus Christ for your transformation.

You are seeking God for grace (divine enablement) continually to change you.

You have done nothing to gain the privilege of becoming a child of God.

You are not striving in your own strength to please God.

You have kept no law to gain God’s approval.

You are focusing on what to do rather than what not to do.

You know that God unilaterally loved you and saved you.

You realize that God first loved you, even before you knew Him.

You know that you are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.

You are convinced that you are made righteous and that you will live accordingly.

WHAT IS DOMINATING YOU?

Let the grace of God dominate you.  Be assured that God loves you.

Let the goodness of God cause you to love Him.  Count your many blessings.   

Be engaged in living like a child of God; rather than trying not to live like a child of the devil. 

Fill your mind and heart with gratitude for what God has done for you, free of charge. 

Recognize that God is your friend and spend time with Him uninhibitedly.

-Melchizedek