Tuesday, January 21, 2014
The Pathway To Building
If we choose to be believers and follow God, we will eventually come up against something in our life that we want to change about ourselves. This desire to change is an interesting result of God within us, I think. Change is not easy for humans most of the time. I would like to say that I am a person that enjoys trying to change, and most of the time that is true. But there are still things that I would change if I could just “wish” them to change. But it does not seem to work that way. Sometimes habits are very persistent.
Romans 7:18 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.
Paul noted this same problem. He was trying to find the way out of sin permanently. What he discovered is that although we are to pursue righteousness and serve God – the change – there will always come times when we will do what we do not want to do or not do what we really want to do in our spirit. Like Paul, this morning I found this frustrating.
Romans 7:24 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.
Paul did make recommendation as to how to get free, or at least free-er.
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
The righteousness of the law is fulfilled in us through Jesus. We become troubled, as Paul did, because the law is spiritual, and the new covenant is the law written in our hearts. Therefore, we are troubled. But the path out comes when we cry out to God in repentance and true desire to change. This was also written long ago by the psalmist David.
Psalms 86:1 Bow down thine ear, O Lord, hear me: for I am poor and needy.
2 Preserve my soul; for I am holy: O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee.
3 Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily.
4 Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
5 For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.
6 Give ear, O Lord, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications.
7 In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me.
David had these same troubles. What he discovered was that God answers when we call. We have troubles daily. If we call out to God daily, He will daily deliver us and help us change. Change can be good or bad, but as Paul said, those of us that believe have built within us the desire to change and do the right things. Let’s call out today and ask God to change one thing about us that we have struggled with over time, and watch Him deliver us!
Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are the King of the universe. You alone made heaven and earth, and You alone are worthy of praise. I ask today, Father, that You come to the aid of each of us. Help us to find the courage and the strength to change. Help us to find our way to the path You have for us. Deliver us from darkness today, and send us Your provision. Make us a token for good that all may know, You alone are King. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.