The Story
Chapters 28, 29
What Do You Do After Easter?

The Story of Your Life Paraphrased  

"What I don't understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise. 16 So if I can't be trusted to figure out what is best for myself and then do it, it becomes obvious that God's command is necessary.
 
17 But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can't keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! 18 I realize that I don't have what it takes. I can will it, but I can't do it.
 
19 I decide to do good, but I don't really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. 20 My decisions, such as they are, don't result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time.
 
21 It happens so regularly that it's predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. 22 I truly delight in God's commands, 23 but it's pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge.
 
I've tried everything and nothing helps. I'm at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me?  . . . . . . . . . . . .

But, with  the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah, that fateful dilemma is resolved. Those who enter into Christ's being-here-for-us no longer have to live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud. 2 A new power is in operation. The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death." Romans 7:15-25, 8:1-2 (MSG)

Do you live in guilt and self condemnation and failure? The above paraphrase emphatically reveals the Gospel’s rejection of that kind of life.
 
“there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”
Romans 8:1 (NIV)

Do you believe this?  Your Father wants you to believe this and to believe it deeply. Believing this brings your Father profound  joy.

Prayer
 
“Father thank you for you for loving me more deeply and profoundly than I can right now imagine. It’s so hard to grasp, especially when I fail you. Yet I can’t escape, outrun, fend off, or cancel out your love and faithfulness. Amazing.  Amen”