Another song Jennifer Knapp does on her CD “Kansas†is titled “Romans†and this song challenges me in the area of pride. At times I find myself impressed with me because of some biblical insight I may have received or because of my biblical training. That’s about the time the Lord always finds a way to humble me and let me know that I am not even close to being the smartest person in the room. The first verse from Jennifer’s song says:
-
Just when I think I’ve got it,
It’s gone.
When I think I know the answer
And I dare to raise my hand its wrong.
Stop. Stop. Stop this foolish pride of mine.
That dares to drag me far away from you.
When I try to do it my way I always lose.
I always lose your point of view.
Go back and read those last two lines again. “When I try to do it my way I always lose. I always lose your point of view.â€
Here’s the thing about doing that: I know better. I know that anytime that I am in the flesh giving my pride free reign I always lose. Worse than that is I lose sight of how Jesus wants me to live; the principles He has given me in His word. I think I’m beginning to understand what Paul was speaking of when he wrote what is at times difficult to understand in Romans 7:
-
“For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.†(Romans 7:15-20)
Paul was not saying he didn’t understand why he sinned; he knew it was because of the sin that dwells in him because of a Christian’s dual nature. And after I get saved I desire to do good but at times the sin that dwells in me I allow to take over. Why do I do that? Why do you? That is what Paul is questioning; why do we do that when we know better?
That would be bad news if Paul decided to stop at verse 20 but he goes on and delivers this good and encouraging news:
-
“O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.” (Romans 7:24-25)
If you read verses 21-23 by itself it’s enough to make you go mad. I am captive to my sin even though I delight in the law of God?! I will remain captive to my sin if I do not allow myself to be rescued by my Lord Jesus. The chorus from Jennifer’s song “Romans†exalts this truth:
-
I don’t have to be condemned.
Jesus saved me from the laws of sin.
If I fall I’ll try again.
With the spirit as my guide
I’ll never have to hide again.
When I allow myself to fall prey to sin I must try again. I need to allow the Holy Spirit to guide my life and I can live a life free from guilt.
I’ll never have to hide again. Me trying to hide my sin from God is so silly; it’s childish. It’s worse than Adam and Eve with their fig leaves crouched down behind some bush trying to hide from God. I have the Bible and know better.
Why do I try to hide? Because I have an evil heart as the Prophet Jeremiah wrote:
-
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?†(Jeremiah 17:9)
Why am I pretending my sin is not so bad? It is so childish to do so. The second verse from Jennifer’s song puts it well:
-
I, I, I try to close my eyes like a child
Playing in a game of hide and seek.
If I can not see the Lord
Then surely Lord
You can not see me.
As if I could ever
Keep him from spying me.
All the plans of this man they’re nothing more
Nothing more than evil schemes.
I do not put away childish things because I am being immature in my faith. Paul taught the Corinthian church about this:
-
“When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.†(1 Corinthians 13:11)
Beloved I am tired of hiding from God and I know you are too.
Let us put away childish things.
No excuses for our sin. It is nothing less than willful disobedience. Nothing less!
No excuses.
That is my heart cry Jesus; but it will take Your grace Lord.
If I try on my own I will always lose.
But if I will rest Your mercies and the knowledge that you have defeated sin, well then…
…I’ll never have to hide again.
In Christ
Dave
Ps. 37:4
“If you’re receiving these devotionals for the first time and would like to receive them on a regular basis, please click here and use “Please add to Devotional List” as the subject.”
-
Copyright © 2010 David Jeffers
