New Year, New Me? The Battle for True Freedom.

The Daily Struggle

I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” (Romans 7:15)
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)

At the beginning of the Bible God created a man named Adam and a woman named Eve. He saw that it wasn’t good for man to be alone, so He gave Adam a helper. Together, they were told to tend the Garden of Eden. But there was one rule: they were NOT eat from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.  Unfortunately, Eve was deceived by the devil and both were defiant to the Lord bringing sin into the world.

Sin is bigger than just disobedience -it’s breaking God’s law or rebelling against Him. By giving God our “Yes”, we’re declaring Him the Lord of our lives. That driver’s seat you were once in? Yeah buddy, you gave that up. God now has full autonomy over us, guiding and leading our steps.

Returning to Paul’s words in Romans 7:24-25 he describes his inner struggle with sin, feeling the split between his fleshly desires and spiritual. He asks, ‘Who will deliver me from this body of death?’ because he understood that in his own strength, he would not be successful in overcoming his sin.

The Need for a Savior

God is a good Father, and like any good parent, he sets boundaries to protect us. When we ignore those boundaries, we experience consequences, not because He desires to punish, but because He knows what is best and wants to protect us from harm. Sin disconnects us from the giver of life, leading to spiritual death.

Romans 3:23 tells us that “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.”

In the bible, the Israelites were enslaved by the Egyptians and God delivered them from oppression. Post captivity, Jesus began teaching them the correct way of living through the Ten Commandments. In their human strength, every person failed to uphold the law. For this reason God sent Jesus, his son, who is FULLY HUMAN & FULLY GOD to die in our place.

  • You thought the problem was that you didn’t [know what to do] to save yourself — but the law came as a teacher, taught you what to do and you [still] couldn’t do it. You don’t need a teacher, you need a [Savior].
  • ii. You thought the problem was that you weren’t [motivated] enough, but the law came in like a coach to encourage you on to do what you need to do and you still didn’t do it. You don’t need a coach or a motivational speaker, you need a [Savior].
  • iii. You thought the problem was that you [didn’t know yourself] well enough. But the law came in like a doctor and perfectly diagnosed your sin problem but the law couldn’t heal you. You don’t need a doctor, you need a [Savior].

Every New Years we find new commitments, new resolutions, new habits or old ones we like to ditch. Rarely ever do they stick. Just as resolutions often fall short, our attempts to fix ourselves without Christ will always fail. With Jesus, change is possible. I mean, why not give Him a try? It’s not like your life depends on it or anything. (totally sarcasm)

Jesus: Our Savior

“And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world” (1 John 4:14) 

Savior: one who delivers from sin, trouble, or judgement 

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me. (John 14:6)
  • I’m wandering about; I don’t know where I’m going. Jesus is the way.
  • I’m confused; I don’t know what to think. Jesus is the truth.
  • I’m dead inside and don’t know if I can go on. Jesus is the life.

What is His purpose on Earth?

“For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of Him who sent me.” (John 6:38)

(Which is the same for every person in Christ.)

“We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6)

NOTE: Isaiah 53 is a great reference! https://www.bible.com/bible/111/ISA.53.NIV

As a believer in Christ, we are forgiven. God placed every sin past, present, and future, from all of humanity on His son, Jesus. Jesus took on every sin as his own and accepted the punishment of death to FREE you from sin. He died for YOU! He loves YOU!

“Therefore, there is no condemnation in Christ Jesus for the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:1-2)

Now, why should we trust Jesus?

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15)

God placed Jesus on Earth to show us His character and teach us how to live like Him. As God, He is divine, mighty and powerful. As man, He understands our struggles, having experienced life, pain, and temptation.

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!” (Isaiah 6:3)
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”  (Hebrews 13:8)

He is holy, which means His character is perfectly righteous and without flaw. God’s perfect nature does not allow Him to sin against us. He’s the one constant in a life that is so unpredictable. He is the same God he was yesterday that he is today. If you need some good in your life, turn to Jesus.

“Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the LORD is finished.” (Chronicles 28:20)

If Jesus is as good as He says He is, which He is, it’s a good thing to know that He will never leave nor forsake you. Experiencing life on Earth will guarantee you many problems. There’s comfort in knowing a Holy, and powerful God stands on your side. God never promised that you wouldn’t experience pain and strife, but He did say He’d never allow you to go through it alone.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16: )
“This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” (1 John 4:10)

If you are among the broken hearted, know this, God promises to be near to the broken hearted. God is love, and he is so kind to his creation with us to experience. When the world hated God, he still loved us. His love satisfies in a way the boyfriend, girlfriend, money, clothes, or status never could.

Give him a chance. <3

Sincerely,

                         A Growing Christian

Sources

The Bible, duh silly!

A good friend in Christ 🙂

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%207%3A15-20&version=NIV

https://www.blueletterbible.org/comm/guzik_david/study-guide/romans/romans-7.cfm

https://ptv.org/devotional/why-did-god-give-ten-commandments

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