Romans 7:14-25 So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. I don't really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don't do it. Instead, I do what I hate. But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can't. I want to do what is good, but I don't. I don't want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. But if I do what I don't want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. I have discovered this principle of life--that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God's law with all my heart. But there is another power withing me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God's law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.
Do you feel this way? I was just lamenting this feeling in prayer to the Lord. I feel so "wrong" some days....like I cannot get anything right, I fail and fumble through my time here, making the same mistakes, sinning the same sins....I don't want to, but I just can't seem to overcome. I wonder if others feel alone (like I do sometimes), in their inability to stop doing the same things over and over. Let me tell you: You are not alone. And neither am I. Even the Apostle Paul had the same issue! Today's reading in "Be Still and Know" brought up this very topic. Some how I believe the Lord is linking this all together with Psalm 107, where it speaks of His rescue and deliverance. Creating one of His pathways to where He want me to go....step by step, closer to Him.
Maybe in a way, it's not my job to overcome my sin. I don't seem to have that power, at least in and of myself. In both these sections of the Bible it is the Lord who saves, restores and frees us. I think I am getting somewhere here! Perhaps I've been looking at it all wrong, looking to myself when only God can do the changing. I'm thinking this is where all the a talk of "yielding" has been leading.
I'm not sure where this is going next. I do trust that God is leading though. As He reveals it to me, I will share it with you! Right now I am trusting that He is the one going to change me. The Holy Spirit has given me a desire to obey and please Him....it's my hearts cry and greatest yearning. And if He put it there, then He has the plan to work it out in my day to day living. And He will do it for you as well! Let's see where this goes together.
Lord, continue to develop this pathway for us, continue to show us Your heart and Your plan for walking out our salvation. You are so good, so patient and so loving. I am so grateful that You are a teaching God. You are awesome!! Give us ears to hear, eyes to see and yielded hearts to obey. Thank You for seeing my heart. And thank You that "there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1) In Jesus' Name, as always. Amen.
Pray over this weeks Bible passages. Ask God to make them come alive and take hold of your heart.
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