The Good, The Bad

DEVOTION

ROMANS

THE GOOD, THE BAD


Rom 2:5-11

5 But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. 6 God "will give to each person according to what he has done." 7 To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. 9 There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; 10 but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 11 For God does not show favoritism.
NIV

It certainly would appear, these Roman Christians know the truth, and yet seem to be having some difficulty in complying with it. In fact they are being darn right stubborn about giving up some of their ways and attitudes. It is a good thing I don’t have any of those problems! No wait, I think I do. Now wait just a minute, there has to be a difference between falling short from time to time and doing evil. But what about the continual behavior which I overlook as evil but excuse it as the human condition? And what about the stubborn self will that refuses to give something up? Do I really refuse or do I repent believing I can do better and simply cannot. Is the key here my attitude toward my imperfect state, wanting to please God and doing what is right in his sight, sorry and ashamed for my failures, asking him to forgive me over and over again when I do fail? Or do I simply go on with my life, falling short and accepting it as the way I am? Can I define my failing, my sin as being someone who seeks to satisfy myself? The Word does define it that way! So what do I do? How do I deal with my sin? I for one, pray I will somehow learn not to be so stubborn and admit to God my sin, and truly give it over to him and repent, knowing I am only harming myself by offending God. I desire to honor God above all else.

Oh Lord, without the consist awareness of your presence I am left to my own self, fill me with your presence that I may always experience your grace, your will.