[B]ut I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Romans 7:23
I continue my study looking at the life of Paul using John Piper's 30 Reasons Why I Love the Apostle Paul. Today, I move to chapter ten - Learning Late in Life to Know and Kill My Most Besetting Sins. Here, John Piper shares details of how Paul helped him see how he could kill his most challenging sins - primarily selfishness, which he describes how it then leads to anger, self-pity, quickness to blame, and sullenness. He points to what is referred to by Paul in Romans 7:23 as indwelling sin where there is no premeditation to sin, it is simply a reflex based on our fallen nature. He then shares how that we can only defeat sin that is forgiven - namely if we don't accept Christ as our Lord and Savior and ask for His forgiveness of sins - we will not be able to defeat the sting of sin and death in our lives - see also Colossians 2:14. Christ's death on the cross, according to Piper, becomes the "decisive impulse" in any sin-killing effort. Piper continues by outlining how defeat of sin requires conscious and active effort - we cannot be passive. He points to Philippians 2:12-13 and unpacks this text defining (via Peter O'Brien in his Philippians commentary) this "work out" as "continuous, sustained, and strenuous effort." This action may be self-driven, but is often done (and recommended as such) with the help of our brothers and sisters in Christ. Daily reading and study of God's Word is a prerequisite as Hebrews 4:12 accurately and pointedly shares that the Word reveals our sin.
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My Prayer: Heavenly Father, You are an awesome God and You first of all forgive sins and give me the Word, the Holy Spirit, the church, my brothers and sisters in Christ to arm me to defeat sin. Thank You Jesus! I am not deserving of how You bless me. My sin is great and it continues...daily. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
