New Year's Eve Thoughts

For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. (Romans 7:15-20 ESV).

I must confess I am sitting in my home office this morning nearly two weeks before New Year’s Eve to write today’s “thought.” I rarely struggle to find words for the day. The worst case scenario is that I just tell a story. Call it a gift or a curse, I have no trouble spinning a yarn. Like a beagle in a field full of cottontails, I can run another trail very easily. That may be where I am today. So, I decided to simply follow the next trail. It happened to be our reading today. The Apostle Paul is reflecting on his life in the midst of a discussion about the law. His admission is simply, “I do not understand my own actions.” Then he goes on to describe this battle of wills within his mind. He knows what to do, he just doesn’t do it. His explanation is simple. It is the presence of sin that dwells within him. Well, I am certainly not going to dispute that truth. I cannot make any claims to be any better than Paul. The things I want to do, I don’t. The things I don’t want to do, I do. That’s the truth. However, I want to get on that other rabbit trail for a moment. Truth-telling is important, but grace-giving must also be applied or we lose the essential balance of God’s grace. Let me make two observations. First, relax a bit. God’s love for us is dependent on His grace and not our performance. Scripture makes this very clear: God demonstrates his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. God’s love for us was settled by Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. (Romans 5:8). The result of God’s work in us is not finished. It will be, that’s His promise. When you fail (sin or not) that failure is not final; and, it does not define us, God’s work does that. Second, this life is not about what we can do for God, but what He can do in and through us. God does not need us (cf. Acts 17:25), but He still desires to use imperfect instruments like us to accomplish His God-sized purposes. Remember the results of our good works are not our concern. That’s above our pay grade. So in the middle of all your resolutions in the year ahead, resolve to trust God for the process of your redemption. He is working it all to your good. Of course, commit yourself to changes that will improve your life, but trust Him. He’s got this!