We as Christians need to
look back to our truth and faith of history to begin to explore this
question.
We must remain mindful that
our dilemma in this sense differs greatly with the world perspective
regarding this issue. We are confounded because the desire of our
mind is to serve God as opposed to serving ourselves. The Apostle
Paul, arguably the most prolific figure throughout the biblical
history addressed this conundrum; I do not understand what I
do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.
Romans 7:15. Though the Apostle was writing in narrative case, it is
clear throughout his writings that he was also penning his personal
struggle, just like each and everyone of us throughout history.
Following verse 15 is the spiritual/psychological,
truth/theory that
supersedes the aforementioned theories on behavior, dating back to
the Garden of Eden and the disobedient behavior that initiated sin
into the lineage of mankind. 16. And if I do what I do not want
to do, I agree that the law is good. 17. As it is, it is no longer I
myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18. For I know that
good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I
have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 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. 20. Now if I do what I do not want to do,
it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
As Paul describes his
frustration in his desire to serve God, he agrees with the Law of God
and rejoices in it. He wants to do what is right, but his body will
not respond. He watches, almost as a third party, as sin sends a
signal to his body, and as his body responds, “What would you like
to do?” Paul finds, as we do, that while our fleshly bodies refuse
to obey God and do that which we desire and which delights God, they
quickly and eagerly respond to the impulses and desires aroused by
sin. (commentary, bible.org, Diffinbauch)
Seems as though we are quite
a mess, huh!
Our short time in this world as children of God is a
dueling banjos scenario; A constant internal friction of being a new
creation but still having to deal daily with the old sin self who
operates by the dictates of the flesh through the inheritance of
original sin. Our desperate effort to serve our God out of love,
reverence and duty, yet a daily struggle to serve ourselves in effort
to soothe, comfort, protect and ultimately satisfy ourselves living
in this world. All the while there is a spiritual enemy prowling to
devour by facilitating influence and circumstance for us to yield to
the flesh and heap guilt and shame upon ourselves to pull us further
from our only refuge in Jesus Christ. But...
I will be teasing out this
thread over the summer. Please be on the lookout for my next posting
as we search, consider and meditate upon this common human issue and
particularly how we as a children of God can wade our way forward in
persistence, obedience and adherence to the standard that God has
presented to us.
Please comment. Feel free
to contact me @ bobylepa@gmail.com
Bob Leppanen
