In Romans 7, Paul says, “For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate” (v. 15). Paul! The super-apostle! If that is true of him, how much more so is it true of an “average Christian.”
I imagine every believer would identify with Paul’s statement at some level. So…how do we live in a way that marks us as Christ’s followers? Paul asks the question this way in v. 24: “Who will deliver me from this body of death?” Thankfully, he also answers that question in the next verse: “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” Jesus died on the cross to free us from the power of sin. He gives us His Spirit to indwell us and empower us to live the new life we have in Him.
Yeah…but practically how does this work?
I recently heard this statement: “Temptation is where opportunity meets desire.” In this life, there will always be plenty of opportunities to live according to the flesh. We must, therefore, focus on our desire, never knowing when the opportunity will present itself.
Don’t start with your own effort. That is a loser from the start. Ask God’s Spirit to reform your desires so that your greatest longing is Him. Relationship with Him. Walking in step with Him. Worshipping Him. Loving Him.
This is the Way (I got it in just before May the 4th!)