grace

¹⁵For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. [...] ¹⁹For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. Romans 7:14-20

This passage rings true in my life more often than I want. I wake up to a new day, willing myself to live more holy, and yet when it is all said and done, I seem to fall short. It used to discourage me that even the apostle Paul, the author of this passage, struggled with this dilemma. How could I hope to overcome a problem that an apostle of the Lord could not conquer? In a new light, however, it makes him seem more real, more human. It allows me to be able to relate to him in some small way. Yes, he was a mighty warrior for the Lord, but he still struggled as I feel I do so often.

So what do we make of this? We could become discouraged, guilt-ridden, and hopeless, but that was not the intended purpose of Paul's message. If we read on we can see life born out of death: ¹Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. ²For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. [...]. Romans 8:1-4

How incredible! We do not need to live in bondage to the daily mistakes we make. God is a gracious God and he freely gives of this blessing. This is not a license to freely sin with the intent of asking for forgiveness; God is also a just God. This is a promise that the Lord will hold us and guide us through each day and each moment. We cannot store up his grace or save it for a rainy day. His grace is enough for that day; he will give us more when we need it. This is his promise to us, to me.

So even though I find myself messing up each day, I will look to the strength, grace, and freedom of the Lord. Yes, I am human and I struggle, but I am also a child of God and I am redeemed. I will walk in victory and life to the best of my ability - the Lord will supply the rest.