Monday, November 18th, 2019

Our nation is going through a period of upheaval and change driven by what people believe to be right, just, and good. Doing the right thing, just as doing the wrong thing, can take any number of forms; and sometimes, we can be trying to do the right thing, but because we are trying to do it the wrong way, it does not end up being right. Additionally, we cannot ignore the fact that there are certainly people who do the wrong things for the wrong reasons — fully knowing that what they do is wrong. So how are we to know what is right and how to do it right? It truly is as simple as the old adage, “What would Jesus do?” Jesus was perfect, with perfect Godly motivations and methods. Though we cannot ever be exactly like him, we can, through close relationship and daily study, learn more about his way of thinking and living. Paul detailed the internal struggle we all face when we try to do what is right but fail to because sin has a hold on some part of our lives. What his words on the subject boil down to is this: You’ll never be in the right if you’re in the wrong in Jesus’ eyes, and thank God that He provided us both an example and a savior for our failings. Today, recommit to pursuing a close relationship with Jesus and study his words and deeds to better understand how you should think and live.

“But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can’t keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I don’t have what it takes. I can will it, but I can’t do it. I decide to do good, but I don’t really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don’t 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’s 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?

The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different.” — Romans 17-25 MSG