This Week's Topic: My Life is a Hopeless Mess
If you think the Bible doesn't "get real" read this. . . .
“I need something more! . .. 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.
24 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? Isn't that the real question?
25 The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different." Romans 7:17-25 (MSG)
Push and Pull in Each of Us
Within each of is this thing called sin. It’s not so much that we sin, rather it’s that we are sinners. Sin is the thing that’s in me all the time which co-opts my will to seek out some other thing other than God to satisfy me at any moment, be it my anger, hunger, desire, whatever. My heart is an idol factory! Sins are the things I do or neglect to do which emanate from the factory!
But it’s not hopeless. Just read what might be the most powerful chapter in the Bible which would make it the most powerful and important ever written!! Do you want to read the most important powerful thing every written, especially since its short? Give it a try! It’s Romans chapter 8!
Prayer
“Lord, as I read and then meditate on Romans 8, please make it come alive for me in a way that is intensely personal yet practically applicable. Amen."
VERY MEANINGFUL SCRIPTURE READING FOR TODAY'S REFLECTION !!
ReplyDeleteWow! I can't think of anything in my Christian life that's a bigger frustration...Thanks Jeff for being so real with us. It seems so funny that what's a struggle for you seems like a non issue for me. I can't remember the last time I went to McDonalds. If I told you what I struggled with, you'd be horrified. That's what makes "the body" so special and invaluable.
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