Devotion - Monday, April 1

The book of Romans is often quoted when speaking of the basic conviction that we are justified by faith, not works.  But in the 7th chapter, there are clear instructions from Paul that "good fruits" will proceed from those who have been reborn as children of God.

The overall discussion of this section has to do with living in relationship with Christ, haven been given this opportunity by virtue of the death of Jesus upon the cross.  In the past we may have produced evil fruit, but now good fruit is possible.

Your fruits will show forth your roots.

I would like to issue a simple challenge to you this day.  At some point before you end your day, be very intentional in saying to another person, "God loves you!"  They are likely to be taken aback, that is what makes this a challenge.  So choose someone you know well.  Someone whom you can follow up with, "I read this morning devotion thing and the writer challenged me to do this and so I thought of you as someone whom I wanted to make sure knew that God loves you."  You also don't need to follow up with anything.  Just say it.

I won't refer to such a simple act as low hanging fruit, but it is a good fruit which is simple and direct.  It is a clear way in which you could put into practice the encouragement of Romans 7.