One of the primary struggles in my life is knowing what I should do, but not doing it.
I know every Christian struggles with this. Even the apostle Paul says in Romans, “I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.” (7:18-19 ESV)
What I didn’t realize is that learning the discipleship framework of T7R would in some ways make this problem worse. The more clarity I have on what I’m supposed to do, the more clarity I have on what I’m not doing. The more I Take Risks, Focus Effort, and Redeem Time the more I realize how much time I waste, how much my efforts are scattered, and how few risks I’m actually willing to take.
Sometimes it really does feel like for every one step forward, I end up two steps back. Why is that? Why do my victories lead to a feeling of defeat instead of peace?
Paul gives us the answer in Galatians. “Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?” (3:3)
We can’t do this on our own. If we use T7R as spiritualized self-help we will end up worse off than we were before we started. This is why Join God is the first resolution. Without first Joining God we can do nothing.
So here’s my encouragement for you. It’s something I desperately need to do myself, which is why I’m sharing it with you. For the rest of this week let’s try something different. Every time we’re reminded of our weaknesses, our failures, and our inability to do whatever it is we know we need to do, let’s boast in that weakness.
Tell God, “I’m too weak to do this on my own.” You can say it out loud. You can pray it silently. You can write it down on some paper. Whatever works for you. But do it. Because when we acknowledge our own weakness we prepare our hearts to rely on God’s strength. It’s what Karl calls training grace, and it’s only by God’s grace that we can accomplish what He calls us to do.
Shawn
You can purchase a copy of Karl’s new book, Killing Sin, right here!
Thank you Shaun for another great truth HALLELUJAH AMEN
What a glorious promise in 2 Corinthians 12:9b. . .Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
(Infirmities include weakness , dis-ease, feebleness, frailty and more)
2 Corinthians 12:10 reveals: Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
GLORY to GOD a childhood chant fits here:
Look at me, it isn’t showing,
you can’t see it but I’m growing. . .