+DEV+ God's Choice

Date: January 15, 2013 2:07 AM
Topic: +DEV+  God's Choice

God's Choice

"For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want."  (Galatians 5:17)
Scripture Focus: Romans 7:14-25

God could have made us perfect - sanctified us - the minute He saved us. He is God, after all, and all things are equally easy for Him. The moment we die or He returns, we will be instantly changed and without sin. Yet God did not choose to do this for us right now. Instead, He has left indwelling sin in our hearts as the battlefield upon which our humility, love, and dependence on Him would grow and flourish.

If the goal of our lives here on earth is increasing sinless-ness, God isn't doing a very good job. Even the apostle Paul calls himself the chief of sinners toward the end of his life, not the beginning of his ministry. However, if God's goal is increasing our humility and dependence upon Him, then He is doing an excellent job. Every moment of every day, our weak, rebellious, sinful hearts show us more clearly our ongoing need to be rescued by a heroic Savior. Our sin takes us constantly to the cross, ensuring that we will never outgrow our need for a champion, our strong redeemer, Jesus Christ.

Insight:  "If the evils we feel were not capable of being overruled for good, he would not permit them to remain in us."  (John Newton)