I wonder how many people Paul couldn’t reach because they were blinded by his past… I wonder how much opposition he met due to his former Christian persecution and firm legalist standpoint… I wonder how many times he was called fake or a liar by those who knew him before he was completely transformed, but knew him no more. I wonder how difficult it was for him to develop the habits of the new creature he had become. In his letter to the Romans, Paul expressed his frustration at his inability to always do as his heart wanted to do – his feelings of desperation as he tried to bring his flesh into submission to the Spirit.
Romans 7:14-18 (MKJV) says, “For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15 For that which I do, I know not. For what I desire, that I do not do; but what I hate, that I do. 16 If then I do that which I do not desire, I consent to the law that it is good. 17 But now it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwells in me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwells no good thing. For to will is present with me, but how to perform that which is good I do not find.”
Paul writes about not understanding what he does; about being a slave to sin. He goes on, however, in verse 25 to give thanks to God for being set free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2) through the forgiveness and reconciliation that comes through Jesus Christ because, “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1)
Thoughts to Ponder: This week, as we reflect on Paul’s experiences, let us also reflect on our own experiences. How different would history be – would Paul have been – if he allowed himself to become discouraged or distracted by those who tried to oppose and attack him because they couldn’t let go of his past? Let us be like Paul, unwavering despite all of those unsettling feelings in our spirits and give thanks to God for the strength that only comes from Him that keeps us developing the same mindset as Paul, which is illustrated by his letter to the church of Philippi when he wrote, “My brothers, I do not count myself to have taken possession, but one thing I do, forgetting the things behind and reaching forward to the things before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14 MKJV)
Prayer: Father God, I ask that You carry us through this week and shine Your favor on us. Lord God, we give You the glory, realizing that it is because of Your love that we are able to be made whole and it is because of Your revelation that we are able to have the faith that justifies us before You. Father God, help us to be reminded that all throughout history, Christians have dealt with the same struggles Paul faced in moving from the past into their destiny and we too will face these struggles – struggles of people trying to hold us back and Satan trying to tear us down. Father God, we will remain faithful servants, trusting that You will work all things out for the good of us because we love You. Lord God, You are an awesome God and we thank You for binding us together in the Spirit – for helping us to reconcile and unite with one another. Father, we thank You for touching our families that we become so close until one cannot fall without the others. Lord God, I ask that You convict us through the Holy Spirit so that our steps may be directed solely by Your grace and that our paths be made straight. Thank You for every blessing You have allowed to come into our lives as well as everything You have not allowed to come into our lives. So often, Lord, we come thanking You for all the wonderful things You have done, but seldom do we remember You and give reverence to You for all of the things You have protected us from – all of the things we have not seen because of your mercy. I thank You, Father, in Jesus’ preciously perfect name. Amen.
* Written by Kathleen Robertson March 10, 2008
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