Struggle with sin

[spreadlove4alll]

To those Christians that are tired of themselves and falling short of God's perfection.

 

[spreadlove4alll]

Any who chooses to administer God’s word needs to read this. Any person who
wants to follow the whole entire law (of God) should read this. Any person who
wants to manipulate scripture needs to read this. Mockers need to read this.

Apostle Paul, while he lived and walked this earth, was a profound writer,
teacher, and exhorter. He taught god’s word with revelations that couldn’t be
duplicated in the natural sense. On could easily believe that paul had the key
to living a sin free life. In Romans chapter 7 verses 14 – 25, paul speaks of a
struggle he was dealing with that created a division inside of his very being.
In verse 19, he clearly says “the evil I do not want do, this I keep on doing”.
What evils paul was mentioning only God knows.

I want to take a minute to speak to all the legalists. If you had lived in
pauls day and heard this confession of doing evil in the midst of his ministry,
you would mentally and perhaps vocally nullified his credibility as a called man
of God. Mockers would make light of his ministry. Some would use this as a way
to clear their own consciences and dive further into sin. I mean, haven’t you
ever heard “there are too many hypocrites in the church before?” but in doing
this, apostle Paul set a good example of self abasement and confession.

Christ set the perfect example of living a blameless life. Paul set an
example here of self scrutiny measured by the guideline that Jesus established.
You are to confess your faults and examine yourself to see what condition your
heart is in during your struggles. In verse 18 of Romans 7, it reads “I know
nothing good lives in me. That is, my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do
what is good, but I cannot carry it out.”
The thing that I am pointing out here is that paul desired to do that which is
good. A rebellious person does not desire to do good. He or she despises good.
Paul, although he was struggling with evil in his life, stated in verse 18, that
he desired to do good. This I feel deep in my spirit is what the Lord is looking
for in a person. He is not looking for the qualified or perfect person because
he knows that he will not find that person. He is looking for the thirsting
soul. I believe that God is wanting us to be able to distinguish between the
struggle vs the smuggle.


Smuggle- to take or bring secretly. To sneak in.


Remember those of you who hold others in contempt of the law, sin seizes the
opportunity afforded by the commandment. It puts you to death.(romans 7:11) Paul
asks this question in romans 7:24. “who will rescue me from this body of death?”
In the next verse, he said “thanks be to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord.”
This writing is by no means condoning sin within. It is however, encouraging the
Godly desires within. This writing is to free those who are in a struggle with
sin. Not to free those who are smuggling sin. As if we can fool God. If you
truly desire to live Godly the way apostle Paul did. You will not use this
freedom to fulfill your fleshly desires within. If you have a struggle with a
certain sin, but sincerely desire a more righteous life that comes from the
Spirit of God, keep seeking God in prayer, soaking in his word, and surround
yourself with Godly music, people, thoughts, etc.... This kills the desire of
the flesh.

 

[TheMainException]

Wow, this is very good words of wisdom. I commend you for opening yourself up to allow God's truth to flow from you.

 

[God'sgal]

"For by grace you are saved through faith, and not of yourselves, lest any man sould boast"

It shows us that there is no amount of good-deeding into heaven. Only by Christ can we get to salvation. You should do good works afterward because you ARE a Christian, but not to BE a Christian. In other words, I agree with you.

 

[All4one]

Excellent point. We must all empathize and sympathize at times.

 

[TheOriginalWhitehorse]

What sweet reading. Great OP, and great responses.

 

[St. Worm2]

Excellent truth that all should know! Thank you!!

Sadly, as you pointed out, there are many (especially, it seems, on Internet forums) who do not understand the depth of our depravity and/or the continuing necessity of God's mercy and grace in our lives. We need to be in prayer for them (as they make themselves nearly impossible to talk to, much less reason with .. )

 

[spreadlove4alll]

Thank you for your encouraging response on the "struggle's with sin". I've learned what I wrote about the hard way.