I woke up this morning thinking that I was going to have to reading the whole book of Romans. I thought, man how am I going to do that in one sitting and either have trouble staying awake or have trouble keeping my mind on the flow of the book? So there I was reading and I turn the page and realize they only had us read half. It was like finding two hours of free time after a tough day at work that I could take a nap. Awesome!
Anyway, we read today half way through the most theological book of the New Testament and, for me, it was an incredible joy. I hope it was for you also.
Here is what I got in my reading today.
I am stuck in a battle between my body and my new life in Jesus. That is why I find myself, just like Paul, sometimes doing the very thing I don’t want to do. I hate it. I hate it, because, when I do it, I end up hating me.
In the book that I wrote, Righter’s Block, in the chapter where I talk about hating and loving one’s self, I talk about this whole challenge that we have in the flesh. Here we are, saved, changed, different in the sight of God Almighty, and what do we do with It? We waste our newness in Christ to go back and do all the stupid stuff our bodies crave. Do I have to make a list of all those things? I didn’t think so.
Paul wrestles with this challenge for every believer who finds themselves still living on the earth. He says with his mind he follows God, but in his flesh or his body, he wants to sin. Why is that so compelling? Why is sin always seem so enticing? Why do we have to deal with this ongoing struggle? Why didn’t God just say, “enough,” and that difficulty be done, over, kaput in our earthly experience?
I don’t know and I don’t believe anyone else knows either. That’s just the way it is and I am not going to lie about it. But I sure identify with Paul when he asks, “Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?
I suppose that would have been kind of sad, if that was the end of the story, but Paul concludes that section with a statement that trumps all the challenge in this earthly body. “Thanks be to God.” Thanks to God for sending His Son, for the Son living a perfect life, for the Son going to the cross in my stead, for the Son dying there in the place that was mine, for the Son being buried in a grave, for the Son rising up alive again and for the promise in the Son, that by my faith in Him that I too will be like Him, alive forever. Wow!
Who will get me out of this jam that I experience too often to be honest with you about it? Jesus. That’s right, the Sunday School answer…Jesus.
I gues that is something to be thankful about.
Until Monday. Blessings.
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