by Pastor Karen Troxler
Scripture: Psalm 119:105-112, Romans 8:1-11
The scripture references above are two of the assigned lectionary passages for today, and there is a connection between them. Psalm 119:105 is one with which you may be familiar, “Your word is a lamp before my feet and a light for my journey.” This verse reminds us of the importance of spending time in God’s word every day. The Psalmist then went on to declare that he will not stray from the Lord’s precepts. He sums up his thoughts in verse 112, “I have decided to keep your statues forever, every last one.” “Every last one.” While an honorable goal, it’s a tall order for sure!
As followers of Christ, I assume and hope that we share the Psalmist’s desires. We recognize the Bible as one of the primary tools to teach us how God desires for us as his children to live. Certainly, the Old Testament contains a lot of very detailed rules by which the Israelites were expected to abide. They covered every area of life and left nothing to the individual to decide for themselves. When Jesus, the Living Word, arrived in our world, he came to fulfill the law. He taught and showed us how to live by the Law of Love.
While desiring to be like Jesus must begin with our conscious decision, it is not enough. The reality is that we cannot do it just because we want to or say we will. The law tells us what we should and should not do, but it is powerless to make us do it or give us the ability to do so. In Romans 7, the apostle Paul explained why that is the case. Romans 7:19-20 says, “19 I don’t do the good that I want to do, but I do the evil that I don’t want to do. 20 But if I do the very thing that I don’t want to do, then I’m not the one doing it anymore. Instead, it is sin that lives in me that is doing it.”
The good news comes in Romans 8. “So now there isn’t any condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death. . . now the way we live is based on the Spirit, not based on selfishness.” Because Jesus broke the power of sin, we now are able to live to please the Lord, not out of fear of punishment, but out of love! When we truly love someone, we want to please them, not because we have to, but because we want to!
If you find yourself struggling not to do the things that you know you shouldn’t and struggling to do the things you know you should do, there is a remedy. Surrender your whole self to the Lord and allow His Spirit to live in you, strengthen and guide you. You can begin with this simple prayer, and adapt it to make it your own:
Dear God, please forgive me for those times that I have failed to obey you. I recognize that I am powerless to do your will on my own. I willingly give myself to you and ask your Spirit to take control of my life. Strengthen and guide me into your truth. Amen.