Hope Against Sin

The Lord has been dealing with me on a daily basis concerning my outward testimony. More specifically, the words I say or do not say. Many of the words that flow from my mouth are merely vain (they have no lasting impact for eternity). These words are my feeble attempts either to impress others or to belittle others, so with Solomon I say, "All is vanity." Why do I open my mouth?

Also, when in conversation with people, I sometimes choose to omit verbal expressions of my relationship with God. How often do I speak of Christ love for me? How often do I talk about God and his mercy? How often am I ashamed? Why don’t I speak truth in love? Is it fear? Truly, I desire my speech to be more God-centered, but I toil with the practice in conversation. So why do I struggle? Why do I do the things I do not want to do, and why do I not do the things I wish to do? Paul asked the same sorts of questions, and he finds the answer in Romans 7: our sinful nature. This nature is the reason we still sin as believers. So how do we deal with it? Here is what Paul says,

Romans 7:14 So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. 15 I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.

7:24 Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? 25a Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Those, who are in Christ, are free; not from war with sin, but from the death of sin. The story of the gospel is Christ's substitution for sinners. He took our sin upon his own body so that we might have life. Now “we can do all things through Christ” who strengthens us! This is our hope! Because of the cross, we can stand and resist the devil! O Jesus, My Hope!

May God allow me (and you) by His grace to speak of his love with others. God Bless!