I’ve got a problem. I am used to driving down a certain road to another town in our area because I used to drive that road almost every day. These days I don’t do nearly as much driving but it almost never fails that when I get in the truck, I’ll start down that old road. It’s just second nature. I’ll just mindlessly head down the road until my wife stops me, or I get halfway down the road and realize that I was headed towards somewhere else. Going down that road was a part of my life for so long. It had become a part of my muscle memory.
Even though we’ve been set free from sin and are free to worship and glorify God, there are old habits and thoughts we struggle with that are still sinful. There are sinful habits we used to cope with life that call out to us whenever we are stressed out. There are moments where we head down an old familiar path to gossip, outbursts of anger, unforgiveness, hatred, lust, greed, and all sorts of sinful behavior.
The Apostle Paul asks the question, “If I’m free from sin and free to worship God, why do I struggle with sin and sometimes still choose to sin?” He answers by acknowledging the two natures that now exist inside of us. The old man flesh, who keeps reminding us of how we used to be and how we used to handle our issues. And the Holy Spirit of God now living inside of us who prompts and guides us. The two are contrary to one another and can create an inner turmoil. Paul groans and looks forward to the day that Jesus will transform his body and he won’t wrestle with the flesh anymore.
It’s important what Paul shares in Romans 8, that if God is for us, who can be against us. For the Believer, the LORD is working out his character in you. He has put His Spirit in you. You have God Himself moving and working on your behalf to bring you to completion. Press into Him!
Father, Thank you for your amazing grace. Thank you for the way you are transforming me. Thank you for the Holy Spirit who speaks to me when I head down an old roads. Thank you for your amazing grace that doesn’t give up on me. I pray that you would open doors for me to share of your amazing grace with others today.
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