8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him.

9 For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, He cannot die again; death no longer has dominion over Him.

12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its desires.

13 Do not present the parts of your body to sin as instruments of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and present the parts of your body to Him as instruments of righteousness.

14 For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.

— Romans 6:8-9; 12-14

For God is the One working in you both to will and to work according to His good pleasure.

— Philippians 2:13

Without growing weary, you have persevered and endured many things for the sake of My name.

— Revelation 2:3

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace and mercy from Jesus Christ to you.

John’s visions recorded in Revelation depict the terrible future awaiting those who fail to turn to Christ for salvation. God will limit Satan’s fury and deception, but the eternal consequences of rejecting Christ will leave unbelievers separated from God and His grace forever. Without Christ’s saving power, sin’s destructive grip on this life and hopelessness beyond death remain.

Those who put their faith in Christ live with meaningful purpose for today and confident hope for the future, no matter how hard life on earth becomes. God’s forgiveness frees believers for a healthy relationship with God and others. Christ’s victory on behalf of His children means that sin’s cost has been paid, sin’s tyranny has been overcome, and sin’s pervasive corruption will one day end. Because of Christ’s amazing gift, we can rightfully ask along with the writer of Hebrews, “How shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation?” A believer’s understanding of the depth and beauty of salvation in Christ grows by studying God’s Word and walking with the Lord through life.