Yesterday, we spoke of wrestling with sin. We saw the Apostle Paul being transparent and stating he wrestled with it. We know that he stated we should not continue to sin but strive to leave it behind. We also saw that we are forgiven while God continues to work on us.
Do we recognize the wretchedness within ourselves? Do we know that we are dead unless we have been raised again in Jesus Christ? Do we give Him the glory for being our Lord and Savior? Do we bow in awe to Him and sing His praises? Are we thankful for His wondrous grace?
Just as Paul did, we must recognize our wretchedness and the fact we are dead. It is only by the blood of Jesus Christ that we are made alive. We live in Him and He lives in us. Our human nature is to sin. But we can overcome that sin by living for Jesus and asking Him to take control of our lives. It is when we submit to Him that we truly become free. It is Jesus who has rescued us.
We can escape the prison of our culture. We can escape the prison of expectations. We can escape the prison of peer pressure. We can escape the prison of religious rules and doctrine. We can escape only by choosing to follow Jesus. Jesus said that all the law and the prophets hang on two commands — love god and love neighbor (Matthew 22:37-40). He rescued us so we would know what that love looks like and that we may follow in His footsteps.
As we recognize our own sinfulness, we must also recognize it in others. Not so we can hold it over their heads but so we see the brokenness we all must deal with. When we realize we are just as broken as the next person, we can stop pointing fingers and start wrapping our arms around one another. This is when the healing begins.
I pray we all recognize our own wretchedness. I pray we know we are only alive in Jesus Christ. I pray each one of us escape our prison and live free in Jesus, seeking to follow in His footsteps. See your wretchedness. Live in Jesus Christ. Be free in Jesus. Follow Jesus’ example.
Romans 7:24-25 Wretched person that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!
Marty Pressey 