Romans 7:18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.

This is a difficult reality, even to talk about. It’s a struggle that every well-intentioned person has, whether or not they will admit it. The hedonist throws it all over and puts the flesh in charge, but the rational person sees the end result of that, and it’s hardly pretty. The thing is, the only real answer is to live in Christ. Paul, who wrote this, also wrote, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20) As he wrote to the Philippians, “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13) As long as we are depending on ourselves, we are stuck in the trap of Romans 7. However, as the last verse of the chapter and the first of chapter 8 proclaim, we are set free in Christ. It’s all a matter of focus. We won’t achieve sinless perfection in this life, but if we are focused on and committed to Jesus as our Lord, then we are indeed transformed more and more into His likeness. It’s not that we are to excuse or be satisfied with our fleshly weaknesses, but that we are to know that they don’t define us when we have been saved by grace through faith. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

As I have commented before, I was liberated from a habitual sin by something Peter wrote. I was really caught in the cycle Paul describes here, but then this really struck home: “But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.” (2 Peter 1:9) In other words, if you believe in Jesus but lack the characteristics of a disciple, then you haven’t really grasped the reality of forgiveness. I deal with forgiveness a lot because the Japanese language has a real problem with the term, creating misunderstanding in people. Genuine forgiveness isn’t at all permissive, but rather acknowledges the wrong and cancels it. That’s why the secular proverb says, “To err is human, to forgive is divine.” If we don’t really accept God’s forgiveness in Christ, then we aren’t really acknowledging Him as God. That’s a message I am called to communicate, and it can be difficult! However, God will enable me to do it if I will be submitted and available to Him, so that is my prayer.

Father, I do pray that You would enable me to be more and more effective in communicating Your Gospel to those I encounter. Thank You for the good conversation I had with the doctor yesterday, and for my interactions with various other hospital staff. Thank You that I’m out now! I pray that every part of my life would advance Your kingdom as I do Your will, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!