If you are like me you have difficulty behaving Christ-like all the time. Like Paul, I find my body wants to do what is forbidden while my spirit wrestles to do right.
“15 For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. 17 So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.” (Romans 7:15-20)
Did you see it? “I know that nothing good dwells in me.” Does that statement ever describe me. I’m glad that I’m not the only one who struggles with this very problem. Again, “Who will deliver me from this body of death?”
The only good that I do is when I am doing what God showed me to do in His word. The Psalmist said this very thing.
I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;
I have no good apart from you.”
(Psalm 16:2)
Some pretty wise, Holy Spirit inspired men shared some really good advice on how to be good.
- “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” (1 Cor 11:1)
- “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children” (Eph 5:1)
They prayed earnestly for God’s guidance knowing “it isn’t within man to direct his own steps” (Jer 10:23).
- “Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths” (Psa 25:4).
- “Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name” (Psa 86:11).
Seeking God with our whole hearts will lead us to Him and we will find that we are walking in righteousness when we find Him. “With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments” (Psa 119:10).
It is good news to know that as we “walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). The devil and flesh cannot control me when I choose to follow God’s way. Remember James gave this gem of truth “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (Jas 4:7).
God isn’t cruel in that he made us prone to wickedness without a way of escape. Rather, He loves us and calls us to “cast our burdens upon him for he cares for you” (1 Pet 5:7). He provides ample strength to overcome any temptation that comes our way (1 Cor 10:13). He is our strength in the time of need (Psalm 46:1). With God on our side nothing or no one can defeat us (Rom 8:31).
The great news for the day…With God I can be good!
Our Common Salvation 