Our Daily Battle with Sin

 

The melancholy and shame left him slumping in his chair like a spineless, cast-aside stuffed doll. He had failed again. How many times must he go through this? He wants to live a godly life, a God-honoring life, but this habit controls him like meth to a junkie.

He had read in the Bible that the Apostle Paul had a weakness, and he wanted God’s help with it. But God told Paul He wouldn’t fix Paul’s weakness, but He would strengthen Paul for his work. Well, God knows he is weak and needs God’s strength, and he is wondering why God hasn’t helped him.

Ever feel this way?

Facing the sin in your life has several avenues. Some think the constant recognition of sin is a means to appreciate God’s forgiveness and grace rather than a source of debilitating shame.

Then there is the view that calling oneself a “sinner” after salvation is wrong and believers should identify with their new nature in Christ rather than their old sinful nature. They should concentrate on Romans 12:2, “…be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

Some would say identifying as a “wretched sinner” can be a self-fulfilling prophecy of failure. The old adage: we are what we think.

Or it can foster humility, compassion and freedom. This is the attitude I am taking—how about you?

Please let me know what you think.

Heavenly Father, why do You not strengthen me when You know I am weak? I call out to You but you don’t respond. I know my sins are forgiven, yet my efforts at living a changed life fail. Comfort me with Your Word. Ease my troubled mind with Your promise in Romans 8:1, where You say, “Therefore there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Amen, and Amen.

Soli Deo Gloria

 

 

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