Day 318 or November the 14th. Why can't I stop?
Today's thoughts come from Romans chapter 7 verse
19. For I do not do the good I want to do, but
the evil I do not want to do, this I keep on
doing. And now the big picture surrounding this
verse. Paul stresses that rules and regulations
cannot stop us sinning. Only an outside influence
can change us, and the Holy Spirit is that agent
who is willing to become an inside influence
when we invite him. And now today's action step.
If ever there was real evidence of original sin,
this is it. We keep on doing the same old bad
things day after day, even when there is no benefit
to us, and even when we really sincerely wish
we could break the habit. Of course, it's some
encouragement to learn that great men like the
Apostle Paul struggled just like you and me,
but beware in case this becomes an alibi for
you and me, never to tackle it ourselves. The
old ideas of new resolutions at New Year and
other special times like birthdays seem to have
slipped into misuse, and I am convinced that
it is failure to keep them that's killed them
off. Don't beat yourself up over regular failure
in your life. We become aware of things in our
lives that need to be resolved because the Holy
Spirit shows them to us. Without the Holy Spirit,
most folk are unaware of the grime and error
in their lives. They use other people as their
standard and consequently they don't do too badly.
We, on the other hand, use Jesus as our mentor
and the challenge appears enormous. We need to
look at others and ourselves in the light of
how much progress has been made rather than how
much more there is to do. Ultimately, we are
all becoming more Christ -like, but for many
of us, the process is exceedingly slow. Never
mind the pace, rejoice that you are aware of
how much you need Jesus and His Spirit, and relax
in the security of knowing He is always available,
and tomorrow is always another day. Remember,
we worship the God of new beginnings.