ROMANS 6:12-14 INSTRUMENTS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS It is a fact that we have died to sin and we are now alive in Christ. But the application of that fact to the various members of our body is a matter of our will. "With the heart man believeth unto righteousness." With the mouth confession is made that testifies as to what has happened. Because of this new position in Christ that has freed us from the bondage Adam had placed us under as our representative head, we do have authority and potential control over the instruments of our body. These tools of the flesh do not rule us, we rule them. It is up to us to take control of their potential for good or evil.
How can this be done? By deliberately choosing to obey God and refuse the actions that lead to sin, we assume an attitude that must be taken. Our feelings toward sin are not dead. The old man is attracted by them. By faith we obey God who commands us to be dead to sin and alive to the Lord Jesus Christ. We need to know our weaknesses and the things that tempt us. Those things that tempt and attract us, we must remove ourselves from, and stay away from by practicing self-restraint. It is important that believers develop good habits and areas of service for God that fill our "instruments" so the Holy Spirit can give us the power to do God's will.
We are waiting for the redemption of our bodies but that won't happen until the Lord comes. We cannot permit our bodies to control us. By reckoning ourselves as having died, we live another kind of life where our hands, feet, eyes, ears and instruments of our bodies are directed to what God has for them to do. This is not really what consecration is but an attitude within our power to take. As we really are positionally in God's sight is how we are to present ourselves. But in particular, the instruments of our bodies are like tools to be used for appropriate purposes. They were used for sin. Now they are instruments to be used for righteousness.
Sin is not our master that uses the law to make its demands and then says blessings will come later if we fulfill its commandments. We are not under that law that would leave us helpless and in permanent bondage because we cannot fulfill it. Our position now is under grace that blesses us first and then empowers us to bring fruit after.
These tools that we know as eyes and legs and hands, Are to be subject to our will, not to rule the man. Where used improperly or for the wrong purposes and reasons, Can take advantage of us and exploit our weakness.
So how can I obey this command to not let sin reign? Those temptations don't quit, they come again and again. If I can recognize them and deliberately stay away - Then there is help from God's strength so I do not stray.
There is also the responsibility to consciously reject bad habits. And when there is some opportunity for good works, I must grab it, Because my body-instruments are going to, in some way be used. And I have the choice of free will to submit or to refuse.
God has promised grace that we can ask for at His throne. When He gives grace to the humble, we are not on our own. So, these body-tools God has made available to us - Have potential for good or bad, to be a negative or a plus.
It is well for me to ask myself, am I using these instruments to good use? The way I use them is really up to me to choose. When I offer myself as a willing servant to God; He will give the power and grace to serve Him as I should.
I am not under law in any way, I am under grace. These instruments of service I can use for God by faith To bring glory to God and blessing and benefits to man, Serving with an honest desire to do it in the best way I can.
"Thou art a faithful God to me, heavenly Father, and I would like to serve Thee in a way that Thou will never be ashamed of me. Help me to discern in a sensible way, the things I apply my efforts to, that they may be such as can bring honor to Thee. Keep me from wasting effort on things that don't count. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."