Joyfully obeying

And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature, I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway…it is sin living in me that does it…Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 7:18-20, 24-25.

Choosing to follow Him and do His will are what He wants for those who came to know Him as Lord and Savior. To be in this position in your life as a believer is not that easy. This is what the Apostle Paul expressed from the text. There is a constant battle waging within. It is one thing to say you want God’s character in you, yet it is another to pursue it. In the garden, Adam and Eve, when the first two humans rebelled against God, they suffered the consequences of their rebellion and the Lord let them have what they wanted. They sinned and hid themselves from God. They decided to disobey God's will and God let them have what they want but they loss fellowship with Him. They did not trust in God's way and His Word as they were staying in the garden. They were not contented to what God gave they so they asked for more (Genesis 1:28-30). They covered themselves with their own works (fig leaves) and God let them have what they asked for (Genesis 3:16-24). We inherited the hearts of our ancient parents. There is in us all a tendency towards rebellion and independence from God because of our sinful nature as Paul expressed. Paul realized that is through Christ and in the working of the Holy Spirit that he will be victorious in the battle that rages within. “So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves” (Galatians 5:17). You must choose to let the Holy Spirit lead you. And when you do, God will provide what you need so you will not be overcome by your sinful nature so you could produce what only the Spirit could produce. “The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). It is by God’s grace and Him giving you a new heart that will enable you to live and walk by faith. “The righteous person will live by his faithfulness” (Habakkuk 2:4). May God receive the glory as you follow what He desires for your life.

Blessings,

Noel De Guzman

www.my-wbc.com