Daily Devotion

“Thus in ourselves we are sinners, and yet, through God's reckoning, we are righteous by faith. … Is he then perfectly righteous? No; he is at the same time a sinner and righteous: a sinner in fact, but righteous by God's reckoning and sure promise that He will free him from sin until He has healed him completely.”

Martin Luther · Lectures on Romans (1515–16), scholion on Rom. 4:7 (translated from the Latin)

Scripture

Romans 6:11 So you also must regard yourselves as dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Reflection

Martin Luther said that Christians are "both righteous and sinners" in this life. Romans 8:13 presents this tension before us: we have life in Christ, yet we may still choose to submit to the flesh and face death. The passage doesn't tell us to rely on willpower for self-discipline, but clearly points to the only path—"to put to death by the Spirit." This reminds me that sanctification is not denying our continued weakness, nor is it indulging in weakness, but rather acknowledging our need for the Holy Spirit's ongoing work in every real struggle. True repentance is not looking at oneself in despair, but turning to rely on the Lord who has already accepted me.