I do not do the good I want
For we know that the law is spiritual; but I am of the flesh, sold into slavery under sin. I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree that the law is good. But in fact it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot do it. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me.
So I find it to be a law that when I want to do what is good, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God in my inmost self, but I see in my members another law at war with the law of my mind, making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, with my mind I am a slave to the law of God, but with my flesh I am a slave to the law of sin.
DEVOTION
Ah! This week I have really been struggling with doing the good I know that I should do!
Paul was so right when he said that even when we try our hardest, evil is close at hand!
In my case, there is something in my life that I KNOW that I should entrust to God. But, the good that I ought to do, I have not done.
I want to be in control. I want to be in charge. I want to dictate solutions and I want things to work out according to my chosen time line.
In essence, I want to be my own "god," rather than turning things over to Jesus! (Lord, have mercy upon me.)
In my heart and spirit I believe that God knows what is best for me! God has a good plan for my life not to harm me, but to give me a future and a hope; but it is so hard to live into that Truth.
Thank God for JESUS who forgives all of our sin and gifts us with eternal life. Thank GOD for Jesus who is able to rescue us from ourselves and our sinful and selfish ways. Thank GOD for Jesus who loves us more than we could ever hope, dream, or imagine, even though we struggle so much to do what is right!
Today, I want us to hear a word of freedom. No matter what you are struggling with, God is on your side in your desire to do the right thing. If you are addicted to drugs, alcohol, sex, pornography, or anything else--God wants you to get well and honors your struggle. If you are wanting to control your own life and haven't yet yielded to God's good plan, God is on your side and wants you to win your internal battle. If you are desiring to stop lying, cheating, fornicating, stealing, or coveting your neighbors stuff--your desire is God's desire and God stands ready and willing to aid you in your recovery.
God is on our side when our desire is to do God's will! (Hallelujah!)
So, don't give up and don't give in. Know that although we are not able to win the battle by ourselves, Jesus Christ has already won the victory over sin, death, and the grave, and the Holy Spirit will empower us with wisdom and the help that we need to be victorious over every thing that so easily ensnares us!
Let us be hopeful and joyful on this day! God is on our side and will help us to follow JESUS.
THANKS BE TO GOD!
Let us pray: God, I confess that I am a sinner, saved only by your grace. Thank you for Jesus who makes atonement for my sin and gifts me with eternal life. Please help me not to lose hope. Please help me to truly be desirous of doing your will. And please empower me by the Holy Spirit to trust YOU to change me from the inside--out! I pray this in Jesus' Name, Amen.
INVITATION
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