Thoughts From a Random Mind

ON BEING HUMAN

                  We are all painfully human. Whether Christian or non-Christian, we feel pain, we get confused, depressed, irritated, aggravated, frustrated, angry, sad and perplexed. In spite of everything God has done for us and means to us we still allow ourselves to suffer great angst when it comes to situations that confront us. Our focus becomes easily skewed causing our first reaction to be negative until the Holy Spirit reboots our thought processes. 

                  We are not alone. The Apostle Paul had days when he struggled to do the right thing. 

“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? “

                  One way we can definitely relate to the unbeliever is thru the associated pains of living life. We mustn’t sequester ourselves away, afraid to face the unknown that lives next door or down the street.  Aside from salvation we are all very much the same, cultural differences notwithstanding. Our basic needs are the same, though our likes and dislikes are different, molded by outside influences.  Living out our faith can speak much louder than the words we say, for words ring hollow in light of our actions. 

            By the way, there isan answer to Paul’s anguished final question in the very next verse. “Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord.”  Paul was beside himself with grief over his troubling behavior, yet he still knew the answer. The answer to any and every problem we will ever have is Jesus. He understands what we’re going thru and by the Holy Spirit has the power to rescue us from this body of death. Don’t allow yourself to be glum or depressed, thinking things are hopeless. That is a lie from the pit of hell. When you walk with Christ there is always hope. Never forget, no matter what you may be going thru, to place the entirety of your faith and trust in Almighty God, the Savior of men. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing! rlkeller