Romans 7:19-20
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.
For many years before entering the Christian ministry I served in the criminal justice field, from street patrolman to criminal justice planner. I know what it is like to confront an offender who has committed some crime and is faced with the consequence of the offense.
In talking with some of these offenders I tried to determine the reason for their actions. Many of them knew that they were almost certain of being apprehended, so why did they do it? Not always, but in many cases they indicated that the reason for their actions was that they just wanted to do it.
Even small children disobey their parents when told not to do something. When the parents confront the child about why they did it, it is not uncommon for the child to give the same response as the criminal offender. BECAUSE I WANT TO!
When we read the Word of God there are specific things that we are told to do or to refrain from doing. Why do we do it? BECAUSE WE WANT TO! May God forgive us! My prayer for myself as well as others is that we will change our wants from our own will to His will. Lord, not my will, but may Your will be done!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil