DEVOTIONALS.....

Why Do I Do What I Do?

Do you ever wonder why you do the things you do? Even when you know it's not the right thing to do or say? It is perplexing and frustrating! We are to live our lives as Christ would, yet we fail most times, miserably.

Paul writes in Romans 7:13-22, (NKJV)

13 Has then what is good become death to me? Certainly not! But sin, that it might appear sin, was producing death in me through what is good, so that sin through the commandment might become exceedingly sinful. 14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15 For what I am doing, I do not undetstand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. 16 If, then, I do what I will not do do, I agree with the law that it is good. 17 But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. 19 for the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil will not to do, that I practice. 20 Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 21 I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. 22 For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man.

I have found myself lately, in this vicious cycle. I strive to say and do right, yet my tongue will get the best of me when I speak in anger or frustration. I know everyone experiences this. I have prayed to God for help and wisdom. He has been faithful; I have not. I say this, yet understand that my intention was not to willfully let loose my tongue. Yet, loose, it goes! I know you know what I mean, just as Paul wrote about the same thing.

The one thing I hold on to is that God forgives me! I also don't say this flippantly; yes He forgives, but I must be repentant, or my being sorry for my outburst means nothing. Oh the struggle against our flesh!

For this, I am truly glad that God is who He is and that He loves us unfailingly! Jesus said we must forgive 70 times 7 which represents boundless forgiveness.

Thank you God, for your boundless grace, mercy and forgiveness that You give us daily!