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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: No Condemnation in Christ (07/16/26)
You know that passage in Romans where the Apostle Paul talks about how he can’t seem to do the good things he wants to do, and he keeps on doing the bad things he doesn’t want to do?

Well, I can relate.

Yesterday, in my morning prayer, I asked God to help me be sweet and loving with my children, to have a good attitude at work, and to show more affection to my husband. I also prayed that the Lord would help me to be more patient, more caring, and less likely to use words which are not worthy of a follower of Jesus.

I am not perfect. But, all of us who are believers sometimes find ourselves prompted by the Holy Spirit to become aware of ways we have fallen short. We are shown how God wants us to change or to grow. Whenever the Spirit prompts me, I’ve learned that prayer is my best response.

But, sometimes, my prayers - and even my best intentions - have found that I am still very human, and not yet able to respond with the improved words or actions I dearly wish i could display.

So, how did my prayers go, yesterday? When I went downstairs, I found the kids waiting impatiently at the table. When they asked what was for breakfast, I began by suggesting some cereal. When they complained about the variety of cereals. I angrily told them to either choose a cereal or make themselves toast.

At work, I kept trying my best, but the customers seemed to get more aggravating as the day went on, and I crashed the phone down just as my manager walked by. So, now, I have another warning letter in my file, at work.

On the way home, the traffic pushed me to my boiling point. After the umpteenth driver yelled curses at me and flashed some uncomplimentary hand gestures, I admit I responded with some words and gestures I’d be ashamed to let any of my fellow church members see.

At the end of that very discouraging day, as my husband put his arms around me, I tried to act on at least one of my prayer resolves. But, as I returned his embrace, he whispered, “Hey, honey, can you please pick up my blue suit at the dry cleaners’ tomorrow?”

I don’t know why that set me off, but for me, that was the last straw. I hugged him and said, “Sure,” but then I rolled over and turned my back on him.

Yesterday made me feel just as I think Paul must have felt, when he wrote Romans 7. All the mean and unloving things I didn’t want to do: those were the things I kept doing. And all the good and loving deeds I wanted to do; I couldn’t bring myself to do.

I felt like I must be the world”s worst Christian. I’ve contended with these feelings, often. I’ve asked God, over and over, why I struggle so often, with my worst instincts - especially when I start my days with my best instincts.

I woke up feeling defeated. I wryly noted that the Bible passage for today’s devotional came from Romans 8 - (right next to Romans 7!) I wondered if those verses would reinforce my feelings of defeat.

Instead, the passage reminded me that there is no condemnation for us in God’s eyes, once we are walking with Him. When we give our hearts to Jesus, God sees us through the lens of His Son’s death and forgiveness. No matter how often we fail, we are God’s beloved children.

When we walk with the Lord. we are still human beings, and we are still tempted. We will still make mistakes. When the Holy Spirit leads us to take actions that will allow us to become more like Jesus, we often obey our own instincts, instead - rather than make the necessary changes in our lives that would lead us to walk in the Spirit, rather than the flesh. To grow in our faith, our eyes must remain on Him, since His Power is the only source that can change us.

So, for today, I will pray that I can keep my eyes on Him, and that perhaps the results of today’s prayers will be better than yesterday’s.

At the very least, I pray God will help me remember to pick up that blessed blue suit.

**********
Romans 7:19 “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.”

Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
07/27/26
You've a fine message in her that I'm sure many of us can relate to more than we may want to admit. You had some minor punctuation hiccups (commas that should have been semi-colons, en dash instead of em dash).You did a great job of writing on topic and delivering a good message. I also really enjoyed the subtle humor at the end.