Paul said it in his own words in Romans 7:15 "I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want but I do the very think I hate...For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing..." Well.. I must say I'm glad to know I'm not alone in this struggle. Later on he goes on to call himself a "wretched man!"
Ok so there you have it... Clearly believers and those who has been "set free" by Christ grapple with sin. Our own struggle to do what's right. Additionally, our sin is in the spotlight... on the stage... laid out for the discerning eye. For we represent one who is PERFECT... without blemish... we represent Jesus. Others expect more...and while our intention is to do what is right and our intention is to ALWAYS chose life...Instead, we blow it....instead we struggle with our own frailty, our humaness, our flesh.
"I can't believe she said that"... "I can't believe she did that"... hmmm...wonder if someone has said that about you. I have... I probably deserved it. Reality is just because I'm forgiven doesn't make me less of a sinner.
So often we have good intentions..think we are doing the right thing...believing our words are good...yet later we find out we hurt others, misrepresented ourselves or just outright failed. What the heck!!
Dang... I'm pretty sure this is just where the enemy wants us...struggling...sinning...hurting. Somehow it manages to take us by surprise. But should it??... isn't that the best plan of all??...isn't that the best way to make God look bad?? Get His children sinning, get others to yell "hypocrite" all the louder.
Guard yourself...put up your armor...be prepared and ready for battle... a war is being waged against God and we must be ready to fight.
Don't turn away and give up... don't run away and hide... lean into the choices that bring life...release it and take it to the cross. Push through the "I'm sorries," chose the higher road, fight the good fight and don't give up. It is a battle we must not turn from.. the struggle within ourself.. the ache to do good...we must chose life. We must chose Christ.
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places...
Therefore,
Take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one, and take up the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication."
Truth...Righteousness...Peace...Faith...Salvation...God's Word... Prayer
Arm yourself with these things and get ready to fight! Don't give up! Don't give in! Keep fighting the GOOD fight!
Brothers and sisters in Christ, we are not alone in this! Pray for one another! Stand firm in His word together! Do not be the first to cast a stone! Christian against Christian! Brother and sister against each other! No instead we must come along side one another and encourage and uphold and bless and point each other back to the Cross...Point each other towards...
Truth...Righteousness...Peace...Faith...Salvation...God's Word... Prayer
My prayers are with each of you!
