My bad…

My bad…

Jan 24

We live in a “it’s not my fault” culture. It’s the devil’s fault! It’s her fault! It’s his fault! It’s my parents fault! (and don’t even get me going on the whole “generational curse” excuse… ugh).   Yes, it’s true – we live in a messed up world and the devil wants to punk you any chance he gets.  He hates you and will use any means & anyone to destroy you. But often, far too often, we are ones responsible. Period.

The great reformer, Martin Luther, understood this:

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To fight against sin is to fight against the devil, the world
and oneself.  The fight against oneself is the worst fight of all.

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Even the Apostle Paul confessed to this struggle – check out his frustration:

“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.” Romans 7:15-23

I know what you’re thinking, man, IF the legends of our faith struggled with this stuff, how can I  possibly overcome… well… ME?  Can I win the fight with MYSELF?!

Yeah, this thing can (and MUST) be dealt with and defeated – you can overcome and you’ve got help to do it.  You see Paul doesn’t finish with the above passage, there are two more verses that you gotta read:

“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 7:24-25

Yes! Jesus Christ IS the answer! The more we get of Him – the less we deal with “me”…  no, Jesus doesn’t come in pieces  – what I mean by ‘more of Him’ is a growing awareness of His Lordship in and through our lives. This only happens through a thriving relationship with Him! Then, and only then, we become more and more and MORE aware of His presence, power, and will. So cool!!

It’s time we REALLY lived…

my bad, Chilly