Scripture
Romans 7:4 “So this is the point: The law no longer holds you in its power, because you died to its power when you died with Christ on the cross. And now you are united with the one who was raised from the dead. As a result, you can produce good fruit, that is, good deeds for God.”
Observation
This verse tells us how it is possible for us to live a life of good deeds and to have good fruit. The key phrase is “and now you are united with the one who was raised from the dead.” Being one with Jesus is the key to doing good deeds. I am dead to the law and its power. The power of sin has been broken in my life. I no longer have to sin. I am now united with Jesus. His power resides within me. Through his power I can do good things. Being one with Jesus produces good fruit within me. The good fruit within me results in good actions or good deeds. Paul uses the phrase “in Christ.” I am in Christ. I am one with Jesus. I am united with Christ. This union produces good fruit that results in good deeds.
Application
I do not produce good fruit by trying harder or self will. That produces frustration because it puts me back under the law. I produce good fruit by walking in the Spirit or cooperating with the Spirit’s work within me. It is my union with Jesus that does the work. Jesus said apart from him I can do nothing but if I remain in him and his words remain in me, I can ask the Father and he will give me the desires of my heart. Abiding in Jesus, remaining in Jesus, being united with Jesus is the key. If I simply do that, the Holy Spirit will produce the rest. The greatest thing is that God will then receive all the glory. It will not be something I did but God did in and through me. People will know the source. God will receive the praise. Remaining in Jesus is a lifestyle not a one hour time slot in my day. My personal devotions are important but there is more to remaining in him or walking in the Spirit. It is 24/7. It is an attitude and an action. It is a heart condition. It is a focus. It is my life.
Prayer
Father, I want to remain in you. I am united with Christ. I am full of the Holy Spirit. I will walk with you today. As I walk with God, he will produce good fruit within me that will result in good deeds. My focus is on Christ. He will lead and guide me. He will empower me. He will manifest himself in and through me. He is the source. My life is in Him. I am in Christ, united with him.
