October 17 Focus on JESUS Romans 7:16-22
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. 17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. 19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. 22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.” (Romans 7:16-25)
Passion, Devotion, Determination, Commitment, Focus, Dedication, Acceptance, Loving, Self-Control, these are just a few words to describe the Life of a Believer! When I find myself in a situation where I am not reflecting the Love of Christ, and that “Old Man…” My Human Nature rears its ugly head, and I, for that moment, live out these words of the Apostle Paul that “For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.” Living for Jesus is not an easy task! Our Human Nature is strong and, often, dictates our Attitudes, our Behavior, our Actions and our Reactions! Amazingly, Paul shared his own struggles in his growth process, as he served our Savior, Jesus Christ! The Struggles of Paul are the same struggles that I face today! Satan enjoys it when we are not praying and when we are not reading and “feeding” on God’s Word, and when we fail to Live and Share the “Good News” with others! Paul continued growing in his Faith and his Commitment to Jesus and as his Relationship strengthened and he became closer and closer to Christ, the opportunities for conflict within his very being became less and less! The Fact of the Matter is Clear; we are in these Human Bodies and we have Human Emotions and Human Motivations, however, our Creator God has provided and promised Help and Victory through the Indwelling of the Holy Spirit, “The Comforter!” Again, living for Jesus is not an easy task, yet, because of that selfless act of Love at Calvary, we have an Obligation and a Duty to Serve Him and to grow in Him and with Him and for Him! Let these words describe your Life … “Passion, Devotion, Determination, Commitment, Focus, Dedication, Acceptance, Loving, Self-Control!” DON’T LOSE HOPE, GOD HAS PROVIDED VICTORY FOR OUR LIVING! The Answer to our Human Frailties is in the Persson of JESUS CHRIST, HIM CRUCIFIED, OUR RISEN LORD! Stay Strong, Stay Focused … THE BEST IS YET TO BE!