Good vs. Evil

I have had a few things on my heart over the past few days. One of those things was my salvation - how much I take it for granted. I had been thinking that my next post would be about the joy of my salvation, but last night when I was pondering how to word my thoughts here, I noticed my daughter's blog post - she had read my mind and "stole" my post!  "what I've been thinking about" So, I shall then ramble on about the other thought that has been on my heart!

In Sunday School, we have been studying the old man and the new man. I have been fascinated by this study, especially when we hit a passage in Romans 7. I struggle day to day to do what's right, but more often than not, I do what isn't right. It amazes me that Paul, an apostle, whom God dealt with directly, could struggle with this same issue! (Romans 7:15-25)

Herein lies the problem - we are born first of Adam with a wretched sin nature - we are incurably sick! When we acknowledge that we are sinners and in need of a Savior, God graciously saves us and makes a new creation - dead to sin! However, we now have two natures that battle for preeminence - the law of sin and the law of God. "For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: but I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the of sin which is in my members. Oh wretched man that I am ..." Romans 7:23-25a

If Paul struggled with this issue, how can I then think that I won't have that same problem? I know that when my mind is not focused on God, then I will have a problem. It's a heart/mind issue: "Set your affection on things above, not on things of the earth. For you are dead, and your (new) life is hid with Christ in God." (Colossians 3:2-3) We have to abide in the Vine and set our mind on Him, because Christ is our only hope, He is the believer's strength! "Let the peace of God rule in your hearts ..." Colossians 3:15 It is our job in this life to live for Christ, to strive each day to be more like Him. We will never attain glory in this life, but, "When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory." Colossians 3:4 When He comes back and takes us to Heaven, then we shall be like Him - oh glorious day!

May the mind of Christ, my Savior,
Live in me from day to day,
By His love and power controlling
All I do and say.