OUR NEED FOR GOD
We can make it on our own....is the mantra of the day. What do you think, can we honestly make it on our own? Love these paragraphs from the bible taken from Romans, reminding us that we are far from perfect and now and again need a little help along the way.
We may manage intellectually, socially, or financially, but internally we can often struggle. We struggle with our thoughts and actions; we struggle with our worries and hardships. We struggle with a void in life that cannot be filled, somehow no matter what we get in life, it's never enough.
Romans 7:15-24The Message (MSG) - What I don’t understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise. So, if I cannot be trusted to figure out what is best for myself and then do it, it becomes obvious that God’s command is necessary.
But I need something more! For if I know the law but still cannot keep it, and if the power of the bad within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I do not have what it takes. I can will it, but I can’t do it. I decide to do good, but I do not really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, do not result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time.
It happens so regularly that it’s predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God’s commands, but it is pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge. I’ve tried everything and nothing helps. I’m at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn’t that the real question?
Phil 4, 13 - I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.