It can be very discouraging to stumble because of sin despite giving our best efforts in doing what we ought to do. But it is also through our failures and weaknesses that exposes our deep need for Christ. By realizing that it is through His grace that I am able to live with renewal and hope, it helps me understand that He is my lifeline and the one I must turn to through the trials of life.
We will always be in a constant struggle with sin. We were born into a marriage with the world and this marriage brought upon our sinful hearts, living with the laws that come with it, "For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate" (v15). However, once we choose the life with God, our partnership with the world dies and so do the rules that came with it. A new partnership means learning how to match their needs and pace. And so, when we are in a partnership/marriage with the Lord, we must learn to adjust. The Lord requires something of us that…
At the end of the day, I believe it comes down to prayer and reading the Bible. Just as Paul highlighted, we must know and be aware of what it is that we should and should not do. I also believe that we can learn from what Christ has done and take from his example. Christ has set the standard for us and that is what we are to emulate and pursue in our lives. Everything is about Christ and God. It has never been about us. All we are to do is rely on Him. What we do on our end is simply illuminating ourselves to the heart of God.
A: Knowing that someone such as Paul also had his shortcomings and problems with sin is a bit assuring. With that said, I shouldn’t be entering a state of mind where I continue to dwell in sin, with the idea that “Ah the likes of someone as Paul struggled with sin so I can as well”. Despite Paul too having struggles with sin, he still did all that he can to fight against the flesh and to devote to Christ. As much as I may relate to the side of Paul struggling with sin, I should attempt to relate to the side of Paul trying to wrestle against the dangerous allure of sin through centering myself with Jesus…
Question 1
It can be very discouraging to stumble because of sin despite giving our best efforts in doing what we ought to do. But it is also through our failures and weaknesses that exposes our deep need for Christ. By realizing that it is through His grace that I am able to live with renewal and hope, it helps me understand that He is my lifeline and the one I must turn to through the trials of life.
Question 2
We will always be in a constant struggle with sin. We were born into a marriage with the world and this marriage brought upon our sinful hearts, living with the laws that come with it, "For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate" (v15). However, once we choose the life with God, our partnership with the world dies and so do the rules that came with it. A new partnership means learning how to match their needs and pace. And so, when we are in a partnership/marriage with the Lord, we must learn to adjust. The Lord requires something of us that…
Question 3
At the end of the day, I believe it comes down to prayer and reading the Bible. Just as Paul highlighted, we must know and be aware of what it is that we should and should not do. I also believe that we can learn from what Christ has done and take from his example. Christ has set the standard for us and that is what we are to emulate and pursue in our lives. Everything is about Christ and God. It has never been about us. All we are to do is rely on Him. What we do on our end is simply illuminating ourselves to the heart of God.
Q 2
A: Knowing that someone such as Paul also had his shortcomings and problems with sin is a bit assuring. With that said, I shouldn’t be entering a state of mind where I continue to dwell in sin, with the idea that “Ah the likes of someone as Paul struggled with sin so I can as well”. Despite Paul too having struggles with sin, he still did all that he can to fight against the flesh and to devote to Christ. As much as I may relate to the side of Paul struggling with sin, I should attempt to relate to the side of Paul trying to wrestle against the dangerous allure of sin through centering myself with Jesus…