Too blessed to be foolish 2

In our most recent episode, we covered the matter of choosing wisely. We attended to the importance of not being deceived by momentary pleasure, and encouraged ourselves to always ask the question, “Is the gain worth the loss?". But deciding to do right is only the first step. "Choice" is easy. "Doing”, on the other hand, can sometimes be too hard to execute. As Paul said:

15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. [a] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. (Romans 7:15-20)

Now, we see here the scenario of a struggling saint. A man in love with a mind that seeks to do right but is enslaved by a body that desires the exact opposite. But there is good news. Paul goes on to say...

24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! (Romans 7:24-25)

Jesus Christ is your hope! He is well able to equip you to do those things you struggle to do. But it matters where your mind goes. We see at various areas in the bible how Jesus was limited in the lives of certain individuals because of their mindset. Pharisees couldn’t enjoy his abundant wisdom, and people from his hometown resisted the perspective of him being the Messiah, so they couldn't receive healing (Mathew 13:53-58). In the Old Testament, we saw how God was limited by the opinion of people who wailed at the thought of fighting giants; they felt it was an impossible feat and so wouldn't dare advance (Numbers 14:1-2). We also see in the story of David and Goliath how Israelite soldiers limited God's power against the Philistines, until David stepped out in faith because he perceived that God was greater than Goliath (1 Samuel 17). When our minds are not in the light, we can limit how much of God's victory we experience.

Many of us, without realizing it, are struggling because we carry our own burden of righteousness. We think we have to follow a set of rules to be accepted and loved by God. And we crumble under the pressure because this mindset is not of God. John 3:16 reads:

 For God so loved righteous men that he gave his one and only...

Oh wait, I made a mistake? Yes, I have committed a great blunder! I misquoted the Holy Spirit! Yet how many of us haven't misquoted God in our hearts by thinking he only loves us when we do right. John 3:16 correctly reads:

¹⁶ For God so loved the WORLD, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

“The WORLD” includes all those people who were crying out for the crucifixion of Jesus. Those same people for whom Jesus interceded for (Luke 23:34). You see, even while they did such evil things, Jesus forgave them. God loved sinners. God loves sinners. God hates sin, but God loves men.

 You see, a great way God likes to get his children to change is this: Change by love.

He applied this same approach with the woman caught in adultery, when he forgave her (John 8:1-11). Jesus himself said elsewhere, “Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little" (John 7:47). And before the Lord asked us to live righteously, He first gave us Jesus; He made the first move of love. It is great power to focus on God's great love for you. Why? Because it empowers us to change. Why? Because if we do focus on his love, then even if we fall, we are more likely to run back into his arms than take comfort in the very things which leave us feeling condemned. And does he want you coming to him in your weakest state? Yes. Because it says,

¹⁶ Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)

Remember, even when you fall, you are loved. For if he died for you when you were a sinner, how much more while you are his child? Did the father of the prodigal son not run to embrace him when he returned, and was it the father who mentioned the sins committed, or was it the prodigal son? It was not the father because he had long forgiven the son. We are his sons and daughters, and He is the Father.