THANKFUL

Chatting with Jesus

Wednesday, October 25, 2023

Lord, when I pray that I become more like you, and to develop more of your character, I should be aware what my prayer encompasses. Catching a glimpse of your holiness, your purity, and perfection, my sinfulness becomes glaringly obvious. I don’t question whether I belong to you or not. I do. You said once I put my trust in you, Jesus, you claimed my spirit for eternity. Your tender voice assures me you have sealed me with your Holy Spirit.

Nonetheless, a phenomenon happens every time I get closer to you. A counterfeit voice questions how can I wear the label of a Christ follower since I repeatedly fail you? Then this fake voice insists I need to beat myself up to show you have sorry I am for my failures.

In his letter to the Roman believers, the Apostle Paul described his struggle with this same internal battle. Chapters six through eight detail the Spirit/flesh war we believers wage. No Christ follower is exempt. Paul tells of his frustration, wanting to do right but often doing the opposite.

Sound familiar? It does to me. I don’t know how some super spiritual believers deny they battle with their “flesh.” What nonsense. We are all in this battle togethers. Lord, you have good news. Your Spirit doesn’t reveal our failures and sins to condemn us, but to make us aware how you stand ready to extend grace, are quick to forgive, to cleanse, and restore us, and put us back on the right track (Romans 8:1–2).

That is good news indeed. Amen, Jesus.