Finding A Way Finding A Way OutOut

Reflections on the life of the Reflections on the life of the Apostle PaulApostle Paul

Romans 7:15Romans 7:15

““I don't really I don't really understand myself, for I understand myself, for I want to do what is right, want to do what is right,

but I don't do it. but I don't do it. Instead, I do what I Instead, I do what I

hate.”hate.”

Have you ever felt this way?Have you ever felt this way?

"Is there really such a thing "Is there really such a thing as victorious Christian as victorious Christian

living? Do I only have the living? Do I only have the promise of God's promise of God's

forgiveness and eternal forgiveness and eternal salvation, or can I actually salvation, or can I actually experience victory over old experience victory over old

habits and ways?"habits and ways?"

An honest QuestionAn honest Question

We do not have to We do not have to look very farlook very far

Romans 7:19Romans 7:19

““For what I do is not For what I do is not the good I want to do; the good I want to do;

no, the evil I do not no, the evil I do not want to do—this I want to do—this I keep on doing.”keep on doing.”

1. The realization of the 1. The realization of the Struggle Struggle

The presence of “Two Natures”The presence of “Two Natures”

““I know that nothing good lives I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful in me, that is, in my sinful

nature. For I have the desire nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I to do what is good, but I

cannot carry it out.”cannot carry it out.”

““I” more 15 timesI” more 15 times

Two natures at warTwo natures at war

2. The Need for Constant 2. The Need for Constant Dependence Dependence

The need to live life Under GraceThe need to live life Under GraceHymn: I need thee every hourHymn: I need thee every hourI need Thee every hour, Most I need Thee every hour, Most gracious Lord; No tender voice gracious Lord; No tender voice like Thine, Can peace afford.like Thine, Can peace afford.

I need Thee, O I need Thee! Every I need Thee, O I need Thee! Every hour I need Thee: O bless me hour I need Thee: O bless me

now my Saviour I come to Thee.now my Saviour I come to Thee.Annie Hawks “I Need Thee Every Hour", was written in April 1872 and is thought to have been based on the exhortation of Annie Hawks “I Need Thee Every Hour", was written in April 1872 and is thought to have been based on the exhortation of

Jesus in John 15 verses 4 and 5. Jesus in John 15 verses 4 and 5.

Do not underestimate Do not underestimate the power of the Grace the power of the Grace

of God to change us, but of God to change us, but at the same time, Do at the same time, Do not underestimate the not underestimate the ability of Sin to find its ability of Sin to find its

way in us.way in us.

3. The Call for active 3. The Call for active participation participation

We admit we are We admit we are POWERLESSPOWERLESS Make A Make A DECISIONDECISION to turn our will and to turn our will and

our lives over to the care of Godour lives over to the care of God ADMITADMIT to God, to ourselves, and to to God, to ourselves, and to

another human being the exact nature another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. of our wrongs.

We’re entirely We’re entirely READYREADY to have God to have God remove all these defects of character. remove all these defects of character.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twelve-step_programhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twelve-step_program

Ephesians 6:11-18Ephesians 6:11-18

“… “… be be StrongStrong in the Lord…. in the Lord…. Put OnPut On the full armor of God… the full armor of God… TakeTake your your

stand against the devil's stand against the devil's schemes… schemes… Put OnPut On the full armor the full armor of God… of God… Stand firmStand firm then… then… Take Take

UpUp… … TakeTake… And … And PrayPray in the in the spirit… bespirit… be Alert Alert and always keep and always keep

on on PrayingPraying…”…”

Grace Grace Unlimited…Unlimited…

Unlimited GraceUnlimited Grace

ConclusionConclusion

Realize that God has Realize that God has wonderful planwonderful plan

Decide to be AuthenticDecide to be Authentic

Let go and let GodLet go and let GodDo what it takesDo what it takes