Romans 6:23 (AMPC), “For the wages which sin pays is death, but the [bountiful] free gift of God is eternal life through (in union with) Jesus Christ our Lord.”

As much as salvation is a free gift, we who receive it, have the responsibility to partake of it and be good stewards of that gift. The verse leading to Romans 6:23 says, “But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life.” Since we have been saved out of the kingdom of darkness, and translated into the kingdom of God’s Son, there is a way we are expected to live - because we have been given the nature and power to do so! Our new nature does not sin! Philippians 2:12 says we are to “…work out (cultivate, carry out to the goal, and fully complete) your own salvation with reverence and awe and trembling (self-distrust, with serious caution, tenderness of conscience, watchfulness against temptation, timidly shrinking from whatever might offend God and discredit the name of Christ).” This doesn’t mean the salvation we received isn’t complete - it is as far as our spirit-man is concerned. Now we need to have our flesh or carnal nature be transformed and come into line with our reborn, spirit nature. Which is in the area of our souls. That is our thoughts, intellect, emotions and will. Romans 12:1-2 tells us we do this by renewing our minds to God’s Word. The more we meditate on who we are in Christ Jesus, the more our souls are transformed to think, speak and behave like our new spirit-nature. Of course this is not done in our own strength! The Holy Spirit empowers us to do this! Philippians 2:13 says, “[Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.” Yielding to the control of the Holy Spirit is one of the greatest privileges a believer is expected to enjoy! His indwelling life and power keep our first love fire ablaze for Jesus, and our desire to live a life that is pleasing to Him strong! He refreshes and strengthens us and fills us with His peace and joy, so that we will continuously overcome any temptation to sin! Today, thank God for the greatest gift we could and will ever receive - the gift of living in Jesus!