Same Old, Same Old - Romans 7:19

Romans 7:19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. (NIV)

Let’s be honest, we all struggle with sin. All of us have a selfish habit or shameful secret in our lives. We try to deal with it and often come to God asking for forgiveness, understanding, and support. We look for His grace to allow us to start again; we seek His mercy to blot out our mistakes. Things go well for a while, but then we fall into the same old ways and sin again. It’s a recurring pattern and one that possibly frustrates us because we have failed to live up to our promises to God.

When I read today’s Bible verse, it made me realize that the great Apostle Paul struggled with sin and selfishness, too. He even confessed it to the young Roman church – a congregation that he was trying to impress! By admitting that he kept doing the wrong things, Paul was opening himself up to ridicule and shame. At the same time, however, he was also showing them that he was imperfect, a sinner in need of God’s grace, a fallen follower who required Christ’s help.

In a strange way, this personally gives me hope because an amazing leader like Paul can understand my struggle with sin, as well as the sins we are all struggling with each day.

In the end, Paul comes to God again and expresses his gratefulness for being permitted to confess his fault in order to receive grace. As he enthusiastically writes in the same letter to the Roman Christians,

“Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:25)

Point to ponder

What personal sin am I frequently and currently struggling with? Am I willing to sincerely confess my fault before God? Am I thankful for Christ’s grace?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we all make mistakes and fall short of God’s expectations. We all struggle with personal sins and reject opportunities to be and do good. Forgive our failures and help us to overcome our faults. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Come and join us for worship on Sundays at 11:00 AM. You will be made very welcome. 😊

Today’s image is one of John’s Good Friday drawings called “Sin Bearer.” If you would like to view a larger version, click this link: SinBearer.

July 14 devotion - An Old Word

John 8:24 (Jesus said) “I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am He, you will indeed die in your sins.”

            Sin is such an outdated, old-fashioned, and archaic word that it seems ludicrous for the Church to still use it in today’s society. Sin is such a pejorative, judgmental, and intolerant word that someone should outlaw its use entirely and ban it completely from our conversations, messages, and Bibles. It does no good to call anyone a sinner; it is not fair to point out sinfulness; it is absolutely inhumane to bring someone’s sin to the attention of others, after all, didn’t Jesus say, “Judge not, lest ye be judged?” And what about that plank in the eye stuff, wasn’t Jesus warning His followers about hypocritically condemning others?

            And yet, when we read the Gospels, we find Jesus warning His own people and religious leaders about the dire consequences of dying in their sins. If they didn’t believe He was sent from God as the Chosen One, their sins could never be forgiven. If their sins remained unforgiven, then they would be separated from God forever. In other words, Jesus was teaching His people, as well as us today, that sins have consequences, not just in this life, but in the world that is yet to come.

            Sin is such a current, present, and relevant word that it seems ludicrous for the Church to abandon its use in today’s society. Sin is such a descriptive, apt, and universal word that everyone should be aware of its constant use by Jesus and include it in our prayers, sermons, and Bibles. It does no good to avoid the fact that we are all sinners; it is unreal to think that we are sinless; it is eternally disastrous to be kept unaware of our sins, after all, didn’t Jesus say, “Judge what is right, instead of accepting what appears to be right” (John7:24) and “If you do not believe that I am He, you will indeed die in your sins.”(John 8:24).

Questions for personal reflection

How sinful am I? What am I doing about my sins?

Prayer:          Lord Jesus, we cannot fool You because You know everything about us. We strive to be good people and committed servants to God, but we often get distracted or tempted and end up sinning miserably. Forgive our sinful ways and help us to truly turn to You for guidance, wisdom, and mercy. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is currently the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to ask questions or make comments about today’s message, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest drawings called “Eternal Savior.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Savior.

Bible devotion - An Old Word - John 8:24

John 8:24 (Jesus said) “I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am He, you will indeed die in your sins.”

            Sin is such an outdated, old-fashioned, and archaic word that it seems ludicrous for the Church to still use it in today’s society. Sin is such a pejorative, judgmental, and intolerant word that someone should outlaw its use entirely and ban it completely from our conversations, messages, and Bibles. It does no good to call anyone a sinner; it is not fair to point out sinfulness; it is absolutely inhumane to bring someone’s sin to the attention of others, after all, didn’t Jesus say, “Judge not, lest ye be judged?” And what about that plank in the eye stuff, wasn’t Jesus warning His followers about hypocritically condemning others?

            And yet, when we read the Gospels, we find Jesus warning His own people and religious leaders about the dire consequences of dying in their sins. If they didn’t believe He was sent from God as the Chosen One, their sins could never be forgiven. If their sins remained unforgiven, then they would be separated from God forever. In other words, Jesus was teaching His people, as well as us today, that sins have consequences, not just in this life, but in the world that is yet to come.

            Sin is such a current, present, and relevant word that it seems ludicrous for the Church to abandon its use in today’s society. Sin is such a descriptive, apt, and universal word that everyone should be aware of its constant use by Jesus and include it in our prayers, sermons, and Bibles. It does no good to avoid the fact that we are all sinners; it is unreal to think that we are sinless; it is eternally disastrous to be kept unaware of our sins, after all, didn’t Jesus say, “Judge what is right, instead of accepting what appears to be right” (John7:24) and “If you do not believe that I am He, you will indeed die in your sins.”(John 8:24).

Questions for personal reflection

How sinful am I? What am I doing about my sins?

Prayer:          Lord Jesus, we cannot fool You because You know everything about us. We strive to be good people and committed servants to God, but we often get distracted or tempted and end up sinning miserably. Forgive our sinful ways and help us to truly turn to You for guidance, wisdom, and mercy. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is currently the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to ask questions or make comments about today’s message, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest drawings called “Eternal Savior.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Savior.

Church Devotion - Struggling - Romans 3:20

Romans 3:20  Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.

We all struggle with sin. There is not one of us who lives life perfectly, so in God’s eyes, we are unholy, imperfect, and just not good. We can justify our sins and make excuses for our mistakes, but that just compounds the difficulties in our lives and our relationship with God.

Most of us just want to be happy and hope that God understands when we fail Him. We want to be loved and tolerated, accepted and embraced by God, without being challenged or changed. We want our choices to be approved and our lives to be given an A+, but that’s a sinful delusion and selfish way of dealing with life. We are not at the center of God’s great universe; we are not God’s sole focus in the world. We are sinners who do unholy, unworthy, and ungodly things. We are careless creatures who cast God aside when He gets in the way of getting what we desire, and living the way that we want.

Thankfully, God knows us better than we actually understand ourselves, which is why He sent us His Son to die for our sins, in order that all things could be redeemed, reconciled, and restored perfectly to Him. Great sinners like ourselves need a Great Savior. Who else but the Holy Son of God can forgive our sins and bring us back to God? In all of the universe, there is Only One; in All of Creation, there is just One Savior: Jesus Christ.

Questions for personal reflection

What is my most repeated sin? How can Jesus forgive me, and empower me to overcome that persistent sin?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, forgive our foolish and imperfect ways. Pardon our sinful and unholy words. Challenge our lives and change us for the better. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment or ask a questions about today’s message, please send him an email to traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest Nativity drawings called “Royal Baby.” If you would like to view a larger version of the image, please click on the following link: http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5535/9349348586_0ba6664023_b.jpg