"For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want."
-Romans 7:19
War is inevitable. Somewhere somebody is fighting over something. It could be a matter as small as a parking space at a crowded mall or something as monumental as one culture desiring to dominate another. Wars have even been "justified" over religious ideals. Blood has been shed over the desire to possess a specific woman or lord over large herds of livestock, persons, or riches. And just when we think we have extinguished one fire another emerges from the embers. But these wars are usually fought outside of the body; sometimes not even touching our own being. They may have been fought before our time or may be occurring in a faraway land. However; there is one battle; one conflict; one dreadful war that pierces every man and woman from deep within where scars are not seen with the natural eye. That is the war to do what is morally right.
When I was first introduced to "religion" it was all about following the rules of conduct. You know them; don't drink, don't smoke, do not engage in the use of profanity and partying and late night carousing and sex before marriage. Yes, sir. I practiced those rules and soon I was able to easily point out the sinners from the saints as easy as pie. Never mind that I had a temper or that I did not like certain people or I had no patience for things that did not go my way. (It's easier to talk about myself because if I tend to point out a flaw of another I will only be attacked or worse; so this is better. Let every person examine their own heart). As a young minister I did not recognize that a person's actions were nothing more than human nature. Oh, how often I quoted King David as he lamented " Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me". Psalm 51:5 , but was oblivious to the fact that there was no one, save Jesus Christ, who could and would ever walk free of sin. Yes, even on my best day my good deeds were no more than filthy rags. I began to change as God would have me to be when I traded my religious garb for a spiritual cloak. I clearly was able to see the faults in myself and others; but now I had a genuine love for everyone and a desire to see us all make it in to God's Heaven.
I also discovered that I was able to practice doing what was right even though I had to borrow a page from the Apostle Paul and "die daily". Yes, I made many mistakes; some more than once. I am a man who is not unlike many a man. I have desires and appetites but I can either accept the age-old adage that "All men are dogs" or I can attempt to walk as righteously as I am able through Christ who is within me; regardless of what others may say about me. Women, this pertains to you, as well.
In my youth I believed in "an eye for an eye". You kill my dog I will slay your cat. You hurt me and I will repay the pain. This sort of attitude nearly caused me to lose myself and more importantly; my relationship with my God. Years of living has shown me this very truth: "...that the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God". Micah 6:8
Let us strive harder and be more diligent to make the devil a liar. Stop allowing your past mistakes to give you an occasion to stumble and utterly fail in your quest to live a blameless life. Just remember that you can do all things through Christ who gives you the strength.
I Love you all.
Dennis
War is inevitable. Somewhere somebody is fighting over something. It could be a matter as small as a parking space at a crowded mall or something as monumental as one culture desiring to dominate another. Wars have even been "justified" over religious ideals. Blood has been shed over the desire to possess a specific woman or lord over large herds of livestock, persons, or riches. And just when we think we have extinguished one fire another emerges from the embers. But these wars are usually fought outside of the body; sometimes not even touching our own being. They may have been fought before our time or may be occurring in a faraway land. However; there is one battle; one conflict; one dreadful war that pierces every man and woman from deep within where scars are not seen with the natural eye. That is the war to do what is morally right.
When I was first introduced to "religion" it was all about following the rules of conduct. You know them; don't drink, don't smoke, do not engage in the use of profanity and partying and late night carousing and sex before marriage. Yes, sir. I practiced those rules and soon I was able to easily point out the sinners from the saints as easy as pie. Never mind that I had a temper or that I did not like certain people or I had no patience for things that did not go my way. (It's easier to talk about myself because if I tend to point out a flaw of another I will only be attacked or worse; so this is better. Let every person examine their own heart). As a young minister I did not recognize that a person's actions were nothing more than human nature. Oh, how often I quoted King David as he lamented " Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me". Psalm 51:5 , but was oblivious to the fact that there was no one, save Jesus Christ, who could and would ever walk free of sin. Yes, even on my best day my good deeds were no more than filthy rags. I began to change as God would have me to be when I traded my religious garb for a spiritual cloak. I clearly was able to see the faults in myself and others; but now I had a genuine love for everyone and a desire to see us all make it in to God's Heaven.
I also discovered that I was able to practice doing what was right even though I had to borrow a page from the Apostle Paul and "die daily". Yes, I made many mistakes; some more than once. I am a man who is not unlike many a man. I have desires and appetites but I can either accept the age-old adage that "All men are dogs" or I can attempt to walk as righteously as I am able through Christ who is within me; regardless of what others may say about me. Women, this pertains to you, as well.
In my youth I believed in "an eye for an eye". You kill my dog I will slay your cat. You hurt me and I will repay the pain. This sort of attitude nearly caused me to lose myself and more importantly; my relationship with my God. Years of living has shown me this very truth: "...that the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God". Micah 6:8
Let us strive harder and be more diligent to make the devil a liar. Stop allowing your past mistakes to give you an occasion to stumble and utterly fail in your quest to live a blameless life. Just remember that you can do all things through Christ who gives you the strength.
I Love you all.
Dennis
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