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. 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. But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.
And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my
sinful nature. I want to do what is
right, but I can’t. I want to do what is
good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not
really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.
I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want
to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is
at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still
within me. Oh, what a miserable person I
am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank
God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I
really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to
sin. Romans 7:14-25
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but
gives us power, love and self-discipline. 2
Timothy 1:7
The Apostle Paul’s very real
struggle above is my struggle as well – a struggle with self-control – which is
the last fruit on the list. Maybe Paul
listed it last because he has the hardest time with it. I don’t know.
But I’m guessing Paul and I are not alone. In fact, I know we aren’t. If we all were always able to make choices in
alignment with our truest and highest ideals, can you imagine the world we
would live in?
Think of the mean and cruel things
never said, all the triggers that would never be pulled and all the lies never
told. Think of all the property never
stolen, reputations never ruined, affairs that would never have started and
parents that would not be disrespected by their children. More positively stated, think of how God would
be worshipped, how God’s name would only be uttered with respect, and how many
idols would be forgotten. The world
would be unrecognizable from the one we live in if we all had perfect
self-control.
That is my simple point today. As we are taught self-control by the Spirit
of God, it will change the world. The
world was changed by the same Paul who lamented his lack of self-control above
because he was able, with God’s help, to make honorable choices in the midst of
the choices he lamented. His well-chosen
and God-inspired words have become scripture for billions. The fledgling movement he led has become the
faith of over a quarter of the world. He
is one of the most revered figures in the Christian world not because he didn’t
exercise self control, but because he did.
I’m glad Paul included his little
pity party in his letter to the Romans because it reminds me that if he felt
that way, then certainly it’s understandable that you and I could feel that
way. But hear his words to the
Corinthian church; “follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” (1
Cor 11:1) Self control is not only
possible; it is necessary for our lives, the lives of those we care about, and
the life of the world to thrive and become what God created all of it to be. The journey toward self-control brings the
fruit of self-control along the way. More
on this next time.
Prayer: God, we
confess we often are like Paul – unable to do what we want to do and doing what
we don’t want to do. Save us from
ourselves. Plant the fruit of self-control
in our spirits. Amen.
Prayer Focus: In the United Methodist Church, many pastors have moved this week and will lead worship for the first time in their new assignments. Pray for them and their families.
Song: Give Me
Self-Control – Sovereign Grace Music
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