It's Me Again God 2

70. The Unwelcome Intruder

It's me again God,

I am constantly amazed at how much of my own struggles are covered by the apostle Paul in his various letters. His honesty and openness really helps me to understand some key concepts:

"I'm a mystery to myself, for I want to do what is right, but end up doing what my moral instincts condemn. And if my behavior is not in line with my desire, my conscience still confirms the excellence of the law. And now I realize that it is no longer my true self doing it, but the unwelcome intruder of sin in my humanity. For I know that nothing good lives within the flesh of my fallen humanity. The longings to do what is right are within me, but willpower is not enough to accomplish it. My lofty desires to do what is good are dashed when I do the things I want to avoid. So if my behavior contradicts my desires to do good, I must conclude that it's not my true identity doing it, but the unwelcome intruder of sin hindering me from being who I really am."
‭‭Romans‬ ‭7:15-20‬ ‭TPT‬‬

I love the way Paul talks about the 'unwelcome intruder of sin'! Willpower is no match for it!

"Through my experience of this principle, I discover that even when I want to do good, evil is ready to sabotage me. Truly, deep within my true identity, I love to do what pleases God. But I discern another power operating in my humanity, waging a war against the moral principles of my conscience and bringing me into captivity as a prisoner to the "law" of sin—this unwelcome intruder in my humanity. What an agonizing situation I am in! So who has the power to rescue this miserable man from the unwelcome intruder of sin and death?"
‭‭Romans‬ ‭7:21-24‬ ‭TPT‬‬

I'm so thankful that I know the answer to Paul's question!

"I give all my thanks to God, for his mighty power has finally provided a way out through our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One! So if left to myself, the flesh is aligned with the law of sin, but now my renewed mind is fixed on and submitted to God's righteous principles."
‭‭Romans‬ ‭7:25‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Thank You so much for sending Jesus —the only way out of the bondage of sin! Thank You that His actions set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am often pulled in different directions by the influence of sin to do something totally different. Thank You that in Jesus I am righteous before You! I am so blessed to be forgiven!

Only in Jesus' Name,
Amen.