Like a child that has just begun to walk, so is the early life of the Christian. S/he may fall down many times, but it does not deter her[him] from walking. Some of the time, the pain ensuing from a fall may be too hard to bear that the child cries uncontrollably. Yet, after a while, he[she] rises again and walks as if nothing happened. Such a mental strength in a child still amazes me!
The Apostle Paul, struggling with what he termed “the law of sin” (that is, of the flesh) said:
“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.“
In this language, Paul exclaimed the constant battle between decision and will — the renewed mind and the fleshly mind — within the heart of the Christian. This battle the Christian has to fight, fight, and fight until s/he reaches the full stature of a man or a woman in Christ.
In the Scriptures it is made clear how wicked the human heart is (Jeremiah 17:9). Thence, to do good is a principle adopted from outside of our being. It is obtained by accepting the strength of Christ as our own. In the strength of Christ, the weakest part of man can become a useful instrument for good.
The law of sin in the flesh can hold us captive and deny us of our freedom to do what we will (Romans 7:24). In such a condition were many of those who lived in the days of Christ’s earthly ministry. Many who acknowledged their helplessness and opened up their hearts to Him, asking for His help, were delivered. This same help is available for us today.
Don’t stay down because of the burden of sin. Rise up like a child and in the strength of Christ, walk again.
Stay blessed.
