Have you ever looked at yourself in the mirror and with a shaking head of disgust? I have, and I did this past week. I am reminded of Paul’s words to the church in Rome. In Romans 7:15, Paul expresses his disgust with himself and declares, “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” More than any other sin area of my life I struggle with my tongue. I don’t swear or use foul language. However, sometimes the words that come out of my mouth are insensitive, or hurtful, or insulting. I can be sarcastic, gruff, harsh and some would even say mean. And after a day when I have lost control of my tongue I shake my head, and recall James 1:26, “Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.”
Ever been there? Ever wondered what am I doing teaching, preaching, serving at the Lord’s table, or calling myself a Christ follower? Have you ever looked at your life and felt disheartened and discouraged at your own inability to do better? If so, perhaps the following will bring you some peace and comfort.
Christian music artist Jason Gray, sings a song titled, “Remind Me Who I Am.” In the song he sings, “In the mirror all I see, is who I don’t wanna be… Remind me who I am… Tell me, once again who I am to You… Tell me, lest I forget, who I am to You, that I belong to You… If I’m Your beloved, can You help me believe it?” I encourage you to listen to this song if you have not heard it before. The lyrics of this song carry with them the similar thoughts to how Paul continues throughout the rest of Romans 7 and 8. It is always encouraging to remember that after Paul talked of his struggle in 7:15 he went on to say in Romans 7:24-8:2, “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin. Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set youa free from the law of sin and death.” Hallelujah! This is what I need to hear, when I am staring in my mirror! I am sinful. I do fall short—way short! But, I belong to God through Christ Jesus and there is no condemnation in Him!
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