I've been really digging into this portion of scripture for
the past couple of days and honestly there’s a lot in it. While reading this
and studying it a few things occurred to me. In this portion of scripture you
can almost hear the pleading and angst in Paul’s inner voice as he penned this.
He goes on to talk about the duality that exists within him and from what we
read here he just can’t seem to understand why he does what he does.
Now for those of us few that haven’t arrived at the “Super
Christian” status and still have struggles (sarcasm intended) we really can relate
to this. So I’m going to let you all in on a little secret…are you ready for
this bombshell…? I still struggle with sin! What..!?!?! HEATHEN! INFIDEL! Yea,
yea save it judgey judgerson who died and left you in charge? So does this mean
that I am eternally doomed to Hell and that I should be ousted from ever
serving in my church? I don’t believe so and according to what Paul wrote here
I don’t believe that God feels that way about us either.
Sin entered this world through the actions of one
man (Adam) and because of the counteractions of another (Jesus) we are forgiven
if we choose to be. The temptation to Sin in today’s microwaved, fast-paced,
sexually-charged, hedonistic society is huge but we have to remember that to be
tempted is NOT a sin, but it’s when we act out and give in to the temptation
that it becomes sin. The enemy however will try any tactic to slip us up and
bring condemnation…yes even lie. Even Jesus was tempted (see Matthew 4) and He fought
it with the Word of God, by quoting the only never-changing truth, the Bible.
Paul goes on and on in this portion of Romans and
just can’t figure out why he does what he doesn't want to do, and he comes to
the conclusion that there is a sin nature that wages war within against the new
creation that we take on when we accept Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). Paul ends
this 7th chapter of Romans saying “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.” (Romans 7:24-25 NLT)
I tend to beat myself up over the fact that I am tempted to sin from time to time and this will inevitably bring despair, discouragement
and condemnation not from God but from the enemy. It’s in these times that I
have begin to combat the temptations to sin with God’s Word and the promises He’s
given us within that Word. A great resource I use is a Topical Bible either
online or an app on my iPhone. Joyce Meyer also has a great book called, “The Secret Power of Speaking God’s Word.”
These mentioned resources are based on specific topics. So if you are feeling
the temptation to lust, feeling depressed, or just lonely you can look up that
specific word and find a barrage of scriptures to combat the lies with the
truth of God’s Word.
God is not sitting up in Heaven just waiting to pound you if
you do mess up. Christ came, died and rose again for the sins of the world…all
the sins of the world; past, present and future. So if you have messed up then
tell God (repent), learn from it and move on. The enemy would like nothing
better than for you to get down on yourself and just give up, but you’re better
than that because greater is He (Christ) that is within you than he (the devil)
that is in the world.
Take Care & God Bless
-E
No comments:
Post a Comment