"The Biggest Loser"

Romans 7:7-8:11

I have lost count of how often I have failed in life. I can't tell you how many times I have succumb to sin instead of of submitting to God. I have truly lost track of all my failures, defeat, and mistakes. The weight of it all at times seems daunting to me. Sometimes our sins are so prevalent from our past and present that we begin to doubt who we are in Christ and we feel condemned. 

The Apostle Paul went through this same inward conflict. The more he dived into God's Word the more he was made aware of the sin in his life ( Romans 7:7). God's Word clearly showed Paul his sinfulness, and despite Paul's best efforts and ability he was powerless against the fight with sin. He did not lack the desire to stop sinning, he lacked the ability to do it (Romans 7:18). Paul longed to please the Lord but every attempt was meet with defeat and failure ( Romans 7:19-20). Paul was stuck in a place he felt he could not get out of, he called himself a "wretched man" because he felt trapped by his own sinful ways (Romans 7:21-24). I can relate to what Paul was going through. Feeling like you cannot get over the hump of a sinful life. You feel like no matter what you do, you will always fail at being a righteous and Godly person. What is the solution, what is the answer?

Paul found The Answer in Jesus (Romans 7:25). Jesus is the answer to our struggle with sin, He alone is our victory! We do not have to feel condemned or carry guilt because through the death of Jesus we are set free (Romans 8:1). He rose our Lord and now we just must set our minds on Him and submit to His Word and not our sinful ways (Romans 8:5-8). So when the temptation to sin comes upon me I turn to God's Word instead of my desire to sin for relief and victory. To stop a fire you don't use gasoline, instead you get a fire extinguisher. In the same way, put out the fire of sin with God's Word and submit to it and watch the grave for sinful satisfaction be extinguished. 

Get an accountability partner who will restore you when you are caught up in sin (Galatians 6:1). Fill your heart with God's Word and let His Holy Spirit use it to guide you in the direction you need to go. If you hide God's Word in your heart and are lead by His Spirit it will strengthen you in your fight against sin (Psalm 199:11, Galatians 5:16).

But if you fall into sin, get back up! You are not condemned, you are forgiven. Never forget that. Don't stop fighting the good fight of faith. Don't let a momentary setback become permanent thing. Don't wallow in defeat but celebrate the victory that Christ has given us. Read the Bible daily, pray without ceasing, and accept correction. Stay focused, you can do this!

"In His JOY!"