I want to share some passages of scripture with you I’ve read many times and thought I really understood them until I watched fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, people in the world and even myself and realized how true these scriptures are. The Apostle Paul says in Roman 7:15-25, “For what I’m doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the law, confessing that the law is good. So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but the sin that dwells in me. For I know that nothing  good dwells in me, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of good is not. For the good I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil I do not want. But if I’m doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. I find the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good. For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, but I see a different law in my members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!”  

     Can you relat to these scriptures? The Apostle Paul, a man whom God spoke through to write a good portion of the New Testament, spoke these things. This goes to show even the holy and unholy of us has a battle going on within.

     Have you ever promised yourself, someone else or God you were going to change for the good or treat someone better, but some where along the way someone got too far under your skin and you went off worse than you ever did. Or may be that you woke up in a bad mood and there you go getting someone told. Let me use another situation. Men and some women too, but especially men, God placed in us a desire for the opposite sex (you noticed I said opposite). Our eyes have a tendency to wonder. Not just that one time but quite a few . We may not say anything directly to that person but our mind is having its way. Sometimes we really want to stop, but sooner or later those eyes go wandering again. In Matthews 5:28 Jesus says “But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already commited adultry with her in his heart.” You may say there is nothing wrong with looking and it isn’t, as long as its just a look.

     My brothers and sisters I know its your intention to always do right but the sin nature is present in all of us. Romans 5:19 says “For as through one mans disobedience (Adam) the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One (Christ) the many will be made righteous.” Thank God that through Jesus Christ we are forgiven and covered by His grace (unearned favor) and His mercy (multiple chances). Ephesians 2:4-7 says “But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions (sins), it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that the coming ages that He might show the incomparable riches of His grace, expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus.” So true saints of God don’t worry when you sometimes fall short. We are made righteous through Jesus Christ. Let me add this. Don’t sin on purpose knowing God is going to forgive you. That’s called tempting God and He’s not going to be taken for granted. Remember to ask for forgiveness and repent. God has your sin nature covered. 

Prayer

Glory to Your name Father God. Thank You for being such an awesome Father, perfect in all Your ways. Lord in our minds we want to do what’s right but this flesh of ours continues to get us into trouble. Jesus we Thank You, because through you we are made righteous. God right now all we can do is praise You for everything including covering our sins in spite of our sin nature. Your grace and mercy is so much appreciated. In Jesus name we pray. Amen