Overcoming Sin...

Romans 7:14-20:

For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.

This famous passage is the center of much theological debate. Who is Paul talking about? Non-Christian in general? Jews under the Law? Weak Christians? Every Christian? To be honest, I don't know the answer.

If we step away from the discussion of what Paul himself meant in this passage (so that you don't get the wrong impression, I do think that discussion is important), I think we can all agree that this describes our struggles with sin during our Christian walk. I can think of many temptations in my life that are a constant battle between my desire to do what is right and my ability to carry it out.

Paul mentions (1) the desire to do what is right, and (2) the ability to carry it out. In my life, there is a gap between 1 and 2. I desire to do what is right--be content, humble, loving--but I am unable to live up to these.

Let me ask you: what ways have you found successful in overcoming sin? How has God worked in your life to break the bondage of sin? How much does it have to do with you (if any)?

In relation to the last question, read and reread Philippians 2:12b-13: "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure."

Reflect on these questions in the days leading up to my class Sunday morning. I hope to deal with it in more depth.

 

--Micah Cobb

Hello Scribefire!

So I just wanted to test out Firefox's Scribefire since Matthew K. has been itching for me to try it out! :)  Thanks for the patience Matthew...I still have some of my dad's genes which are totally opposed to technological change! :)

11 Days Until Spiritual Disciplies...

Hey everyone!

In eleven days I'll be starting my Sunday Morning class on Spiritual Disciplines. I'll cover such things as prayer, solitude, worship, service, fasting, and more. I hope to see you there.

Until then, reflect upon the following three questions:

 

1. How have spiritual disciplines helped my relationship with God?
2. Why did Jesus fast during the forty days in the wilderness?
3. How would spiritual disciplines affect your spiritual life?

 

Thanks guys! Hope to see you there May 31st at 9 AM.

--Micah

The End and the Beginning

It's finals week at Ole Miss. I saw two young women studying on the front steps outside of Nutt Auditorium this morning, writing and flipping through what had to be pages of notes.

I suppose there is a parable here about judgment, the Bible, etc. See if you can track with me. Students know the end of the semester is near--their calendar and their syllabus tell them so. They know have to perform well under pressure to succeed and move on to another semester or graduate and start working. Finals week itself represents a test of endurance. Often students have 2-3 tests in one day, or one every day for a week or some other scary combination that often produces an overwhelming sense of fear. Certainly it doesn't help when it's a hard class or you slacked off most of the semester.

Christians know that "finals week" is near as well. The Bible, our syllabus, tells us Jesus will return. The problem of course is that he could return today or he could return in another 5000 years! The weight of living like he could return today is perhaps too heavy for us, too overwhelming to accept as practically possible. So we slack off, drop out and provide plenty of excuses why we aren't ready or responsible for "finals week." The Christian life is surely a test of endurance and that's why many don't really live like Christians--even the Christians! Because endurance means there will be pain and most of us want to avoid pain at all cost. So we party most of the time and "cram" for Jesus when the fear sets in.

Well, I could belabor this...and perhaps I already have! But I continue to pray for all Ole Miss students this week. I want each one to succeed how God wants them to succeed so he can use them for good in the world. Each degree is an opportunity for God to do something amazing and creative and life-changing in the world!

I know there are some I will leave out, but here are some of our Rebels for Christ who are graduating or leaving us.

Ruth Ann Cooper
Eli and Tracy Hilton
Rachel Smith
Kitae-Myoung
Jonathan Peeden
Jay Thomas
Miriam Webb
Liz Krason
Lindsay Head
Wenlu Zhou
Luis Unda

I am honored to have known each of you and served with you. I love each of you and am proud of you for all you have accomplished. You are at the end of life as you have known it for several years. You are about to discover a new beginning!

Now get out of here and go tell the world what God has done for you!