July 22
MORNING
The death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God.
He . . . was numbered with the transgressors.--Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many.--He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.--By a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.--He holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.--While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.
Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God.
Rom. 6:10; Isa. 53:12; Heb. 9:28; 1 Pet. 2:24; Heb. 10:14; Heb. 7:24, 25; Rom. 5:8, 9; 1 Pet. 4:1, 2
EVENING
Keep yourselves in the love of God.
"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."
The fruit of the Spirit is love.--"By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love."--Whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected.
"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you."--God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.--God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.
Jude 21; John 15:4, 5; Gal. 5:22; John 15:8-10; 1 John 2:5; John 15:12; Rom. 5:8; 1 John 4:16
