Here are 5 things I want to share with you…
#1 – NOTHING good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. This is not a conclusion that I reached on my own. I actually used to believe that people were inherently GOOD. Misguided much? Scripture tells us that because of Adam’s sin in the garden death entered the world. Death = Sin. This sin was then passed down from generation to generation as a natural inclination or NATURE towards sin (disobedience to God). Thank you Adam! Sin doesn’t merely reside within a small portion of our existence, but permeates every aspect of our life and being. We are consumed by it. We are lost within it. On my own, no good lives in me.
#2 – I want to do what is right, but I CAN’T. I am POWERLESS to control my tendency to do the wrong thing. I CAN’T do what is right. I’ve tried. I wanted to stop drinking, but I couldn’t. I wanted to stop abusing drugs, but I couldn’t. I wanted to stop spending hours and hours looking at pornography, but I couldn’t. I thought I was in control of my struggles, possibly moderate my compulsive behaviors, but I couldn’t. My life was so wrapped up in sin that I couldn’t break free. I was stuck doing the same thing over and over. I knew the right thing to do, but I just couldn’t muster up the strength to do it. On my own, I can’t do what is right.
#3 – I want to do what is good, but I DON’T. What is good? I like to think of the work of Jesus on the cross. I think of the beating he endured, the cross he carried, the death he experienced and I think THAT’S GOOD! I believe the things that are good are the things that are categorized as selfless, not SELFISH. I don’t think anyone can look at what Jesus went through and say, “You know, I think I’d like to try that sometime.” OR you might find a person who says they’d be willing to do it simply to uphold some false image of super spiritualness (that even a word?). That fact is, we can WANT to do what is good all day long, but we’re going to fail to do it time and time again. Doing good is tough. Doing good is hard. Doing good is difficult. Doing good hurts. Sin nature says take the easy route! Sin nature says it’s not worth the risk! Sin nature says look out for yourself. On my own, I don’t do what is good.
#4 – I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I DO IT ANYWAY. Ever heard of RELAPSE? When you truly engage your recovery head on, and I mean really take it serious, NOBODY sets a goal to relapse, NOBODY sets a relapse date. But guess what, it happens. We stumble. We trip. We fall. We don’t want to do what is wrong, but we do it anyway. It’s not an excuse, it’s the truth. On my own, I do it anyway.
#5 – Jesus will FREE you from a life dominated by sin and death. On my own, I am POWERLESS. Jesus Christ is HOPE for the hopeless and we’ve all either been hopeless or are hopeless. There are two categories of people in this world: lost and found. That’s it. It’s not about ethnicity. It’s not about sexual preference. It’s not about social status. It’s not about political standing. A relationship with Jesus is the ONLY way to be cleansed, to be washed clean of the sinful nature that wants to kill, steal, and destroy your life. Jesus is the answer. Want something good to live in you? Jesus. Want to do what is right? Jesus. Want to do what is good? Jesus. Want to stop doing the wrong thing? Jesus. As long as you believe you can do it on your own you’ll remain stuck in the same patterns, the same habits, the same hurts, the same cycle of hardship and pain. Want to experience joy and fullness of life; open your heart and mind to the possibility of a relationship with Jesus Christ and be set free.
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