Humility

 

Gentleness

 

The Struggle against Sin (Romans 7)

I was reading the bible about faith (Heb 11), holiness (1 Pet 1), and love (1 Cor 13). I was thinking very hard about how it is possible to meet all those standards at the same time. Even though I spent a long time praying and bible-reading, it feels very difficult. This reminds me of Romans 7:

We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 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. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. - Rom 7:14-20 (NIV)

Even tough I know that theoretically the answer lies on Romans 8, I was struggling very hard. It feels like I am 'beating myself' because I keep failing. I realized that only God can change me:

I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. - Jer 31:33b (NIV)

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you. - Eze 36:27a (NIV)

If this struggle happens to you, keep praying, keep asking God to change you, and believe that this is possible. God knows how and when to change your heart. He will never ignore a thirsty heart:

Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them. - John 7:37b-38 & Heb 8:10b (NIV)

Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life. - Rev 22:17b (NIV)

I believe that flows of living water (Holy Spirit) will able to change our hearts. 

Approaching God: Holy & Love

After giving the ten commandments, God invited the people to approach Him. However, most of the people stayed at a distance.

When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance and said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die.” Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.” The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was. (Exodus 20:18-21)

There are several untrustworthy opinions that I heard relating to approaching God:

1. 'We can never ask to meet face to face to God because that will makes us die.' This way of thinking often makes people never try to get closer to God.
2. 'Because Jesus made a way for us to approach God, regardless if we are sinning, we can still be close to God.' Most of the people that believe this, do not see holiness important and lose the fear of God in their life.

God is both holy (1 Peter 1:16) and love (1 John 4:8). The art of approaching God consists of both respecting His holiness and believing in His love. God loves us so much that He wants to have a close relationship with us, but it never means that He tolerates His holiness.

Of course, there are many other aspects relating to approaching God: trust, faith, hungry & thirsty, waiting for Him, seeking Him, humble, be a living sacrifice, etc. I wish that we can grow closer and closer to God because be with Him is the best place that we can be.