"For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do--this I keep on doing." Romans 7:19
Exactly two years ago yesterday, one of my dearest friends crossed the finish line of his first IRONMAN triathlon. As his wife and I watched from the sidelines that day, it was clear that this was one punishing competition. After swimming 2.4 miles in open water, my friend biked 112 miles and then ran a full marathon (26.2 miles) before earning his official "IRONMAN" title. When asked if he would ever do it again, his response was an adamant "No!" But guess what? He did do it again eighteen months later vowing, once again, that it would be the last time. We will see about that.
You know, the Apostle Paul knew all about doing things he vowed he never would again too, saying that he continued "on doing" the evil things he didn't want to do instead of the "good" things he did want to do. And he also knew that he was was powerless to change this cycle of sin on his own-as any Christian struggling with habitual sin can attest to. In the battle to overcome "evil", human willpower is simply not enough. It's only by God's power at work within us that we can break the chains and claim victory.
So if you find yourself struggling with the same sin day after day and repeatedly doing those things you vow to stop, won't you call upon the Lord? And then lean on His power to overcome and conquer those things, like Paul, that you "do not want to do."
Heavenly Father, we thank you for your Word that clearly tells us that, through you, we have the power to break the cycle of sin. Help us to identify those areas in our life where we might be struggling with temptation and then call upon you to cleanse of us them. Help us to be free to do the good that we want to do. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!!!
Chain Breaker - Zach Williams
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