From Self-Bondage to Spirit-Freedom
The riches of Christ’s indwelling life shine only after we come to the end of self and open our hearts to what He already gave.
Devotional Source: Abide Above – 4-5 “Rags to Riches” by W.W.
Photo Credit: Unsplash
This devotional speaks to a necessary crisis in the life of every believer—one that reveals the utter futility of striving in our own effort and ushers us into the glorious liberty that is already ours in Christ. The message walks us through the internal war described in Romans 7, where Paul honestly confesses the cycle of defeat that arises from trying to live the Christian life in the strength of the flesh. It’s not a failure of desire, nor of doctrine—but a failure of source. The believer sees the good and wants to do it, but finds no power in himself to carry it out. And that very awareness, painful as it is, is not a curse. It’s a grace.
Why? Because that very failure brings him to cry out, “Who will deliver me?” And in that question, he’s finally ready to see the answer—not a what, but a who. The answer is not greater effort, not stronger will, not deeper resolve—but a Person: Jesus Christ our Lord.
Freedom doesn’t come from trying harder, but from dying to the self-life and appropriating the indwelling life of Christ. That’s the “riches” part of the journey—from rags of self-righteous striving to the true wealth of resting in the One who already fulfilled the law and now lives His life through us.
The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set us free from the law of sin and death. This isn’t theory—it’s a new operating system. When we stop trying to get the flesh to act like Christ and instead trust the life of Christ to express Himself through us, the war within quiets. Peace follows. Liberty reigns.
Personalized Journal Entry – In the Holy Spirit’s Voice Through Scripture
I saw your struggle before time began and made provision for your rest. You once walked according to the flesh, trying your best to do what is right, only to find frustration at every turn. But I never expected righteousness from your self-effort—I only asked that you present yourself to Me. For sin shall not have dominion over you, because you are not under law but under grace.
You once delighted in My law, but another law in your members waged war against your mind, dragging you down in defeat. Yet that battle was never meant to be won by you. I allowed it so you would come to the end of yourself and cry out—not in despair, but in dependence. When you saw that nothing good dwells in your flesh, then you were ready to discover that everything good already dwells in Christ within you.
In your weakness, My power is made perfect. You are crucified with Christ; and it is no longer you who live, but Christ who lives in you. This life is not one of constant struggle, but of trusting Me in every moment. The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death.
Now, walk in Me, and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh. Reckon yourself dead to sin and alive to Me. Let Christ be your life. I will guide you, I will lead you, and I will manifest My fruit through you—not by striving, but by abiding.
Romans 6:14; Romans 7:18–25; 2 Corinthians 12:9; Galatians 2:20; Romans 8:2; Galatians 5:16; Romans 6:11; Colossians 3:4
Prayer
Father, I rest today in the liberty You have already secured for me in Christ. Thank You that I am no longer under the tyranny of self-effort, nor subject to the law of sin and death. In You, I live and move and have my being—and in this moment, I trust You to express Your life through me. I don’t need to muster up righteousness; I simply yield to the righteousness that already indwells me. What a treasure to walk in freedom, not by escaping hardship, but by embracing the death of self and the fullness of Christ in me. You’ve turned my rags into riches—forever.