If there’s one thing I love about the Apostle Paul within his writings and teachings, it has to be how relatable he is throughout his life and ministry. Yes, it’s beautiful to see how the power of Jesus Christ continually transforms his life, but it’s also so encouraging to see him vulnerably share his internal struggles, sins, and human frustration. Because of Paul’s openness, he helps us discover that we are all a work in progress. He brilliantly states in Romans 7:15-20 the following:
“15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 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. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.”
In the podcast episode “Becoming Something,” the topic of fleshly desires and how we don’t naturally drift towards holiness is discussed. Our upside-down culture celebrates vice and undervalues virtue, leading us to feed the wrong habits while we allow life-giving practices to die. It’s no wonder we feel empty, exhausted, and directionless. It takes extreme intentionality to pursue righteousness that you and I have been called towards. The choices you and I are making today as well as the sin we can so easily allow to creep into our lives is taking us somewhere. Is that somewhere a place you want to go?
Let us be people of intentionality. Let’s be extremely cautious of what we are allowing into our hearts and minds as everything we allow in (good or bad) will eventually take root and significantly affect our future.
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Author: Worship Pastor, Justin Kolean
