I am thinking aloud here, because I know how many of us, who believe in Jesus Christ, would just like to not be bothered by our sin. We would like to have the perfect responses and reactions to every situation in life; however, that is not reality. Because we are human, even if we truly know Jesus, we still deal with the flesh. Paul talked about this in Romans, and apparently there are 3 different views about whether Chapter 7 was talking about someone who has been redeemed. If you want to know more about those explanations of Romans 7, google them or find a Bible reference book. Personally, I know I am a Christian and I believe Jesus is the only way to go to heaven. However, I am not going to pretend that all my thoughts and all my actions in life are untarnished by sin. I am growing and persevering. I am pressing toward the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14 However, I know there is a dichotomy going on here, because I am a new creation, but I still have to overcome sin in me. So why is that? That is why I wrote this. It is not the best writing I have ever done, but I am not trying to be a perfect theological teacher right now. I am thinking aloud about a problem we all deal with. Come on. Be honest. I am sure you still do not do Everything perfectly.
I just had a weird thought--well maybe not so weird. If it was so simple that we could just turn on a switch when we give these things over to God (us, our families, our habits, our thoughts, our deep inner selves), would we continue to turn to Jesus? Or, would we be complacent and happy in our perceived righteousness, not seeing how much we need Him?
Even though salvation cannot be stolen from us, we still contend with the flesh that we live in here on Earth. Because of the very nature of sin, it seeps in, even though we do not want to be sinful, even in our "righteousness", which can so quickly turn into hypocrisy. However, if it were always easy to do the right thing, to think the right thing, or to say the right thing, would we turn to Him for help? Would we even see our need for salvation because of already being righteous (which we are not)? Remember, I am talking about dealing with still being in our flesh.
Part of my turning to God for help is my inability to always be the person I want to be in my heart. I think part of having peace may be accepting that there will always be this dichotomy of perfection vs. imperfection at the doors of our hearts, until we go to be with God. Romans 7:20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it (NIV).
Someday, it will be easier. I really do look forward to the time spoken of in Romans 13: 8-20. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love (NIV).
I have peace, because I know I am not on my own. I have a Savior. I do not have to depend on my own ability to always be perfect to know that God loves me and He will accept me. I am feeling my own imperfection as I read over what I have written; however, I am trusting God. Moreover, I feel like someone needs to hear this: someone who is already a follower of Jesus, but is presently struggling. There may also be someone who needs to know that we have all fallen short of God's glory. Someone needs to know what the following verse says.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)
I have peace, because I know I am not on my own. I have a Savior. I do not have to depend on my own ability to always be perfect to know that God loves me and He will accept me. I am feeling my own imperfection as I read over what I have written; however, I am trusting God. Moreover, I feel like someone needs to hear this: someone who is already a follower of Jesus, but is presently struggling. There may also be someone who needs to know that we have all fallen short of God's glory. Someone needs to know what the following verse says.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)
Prayer: Dear Father in Heaven, thank you for your everlasting mercy and kindness towards us. Thank you for providing a way for the struggle we have as humans. Many of us desire to be righteous and to please you, yet we are confronted with our own sin on a daily basis. Thank you for salvation through Jesus Christ. He is the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to you, except through Him. Thank you that we can trust you daily, even when we fall short again. Thank you for your great patience. You are amazing and wonderful. Hallelujah! Amen.
