For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Romans 7:15.

I know that I have mentioned this before, but I am a bit of a people pleaser. Coming from an abusive background, I have this deep-seated need to make sure that no one gets upset and that everyone is pleased with me. Unfortunately, that leads me to say “yes” a lot. Sometimes, I say yes to good things that God would have me do. Other times, I say yes to things that are just not what He would have me say yes to. These aren’t necessarily sinful things, but things that God would not have me occupy my days with. Although He leads me in the things that He would have me do, sometimes I have taken on so much that the things that God would have for me to do get pushed to the back burner.

I know full well that I need to be a good steward of my time, as well as a good steward of everything that God gives me. One day, I will give an account to Him for how I have used it. “For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” Ecclesiastes 12:14.

So, why then do I say yes to things that are not necessary or God lead!? Why do I do that!? Sometimes, I do it because I need everything to be okay and I want everyone to be happy with me… a kind of self preservation, if you will. Other times, it is for self glorification. Instead of glorifying my Father in Heaven, my motive is strictly so that people will think well of me. Still other times, it is for self advancement. It benefits me somehow so, I do it.

I am not proud of any of the things that I just told you, but the truth of the matter is, I occasionally give in to my flesh and fall short of the glory of God. But according to Romans 3:23, we all do. “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:23.

In fact, the apostle Paul confessed to struggling in the very same manner. In Romans 7 we see him really struggling with this. “And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. ¹⁹ I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. ²⁰ But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.” Romans 7:18-20 (NLT).

Paul is so distraught over this struggle within himself that He says “²⁴ O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” Romans 7:24.

We should all be so convicted by our sin! It should break each and every one of our hearts when we displease our Heavenly Father.

Praise God that He knows our hearts. He knows that both Paul and I (and you) struggle with sin. He knows that I don’t want to displease Him. God knows that I want to obey, honor, and glorify Him. And praise God that, through the blood of Jesus (and our repentance), we are forgiven! “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9.

I would love to think that somehow, this side of heaven, I could be perfect for God. When we consider all that He has done for us, He deserves perfection from us. But in this broken world, perfection is unattainable for us. That shouldn’t keep us from trying, though.

God knew we wouldn’t — and couldn’t — be perfect. So, He sent the only one who was to pay the penalty for our sin. Thank you, Jesus!

But Jesus is not a Get Out of Jail Free card. He is a Precious and Loving Savior who suffered and died so that we would have an opportunity to be forgiven, to have a personal relationship with Him, and spend eternity in heaven.

God’s word tells us that we are to strive to live as Jesus lived:

Live our lives the way that He did: “whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.” 1 John 2:6. Perfectly.

Love like He did: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” John 13:34, unconditionally and perfectly.

And forgive as He did: “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32., unconditionally and perfectly.

We should all have the burden that Paul had for the sin(s) that we commit. Lets repent and strive for perfection!

Father, I pray that our hearts would be breaking for the sins that we commit. I pray that we would all have repentant hearts, desiring forgiveness and full restoration in our relationship(s) with you. Lord, help us to do better and to bring you the honor and glory that you so deserve. Help us to model you to the world and let them see so much of you in us that they are drawn into a relationship with you, Lord. We love you Father and pray this in the precious name of Jesus.

Lets stop asking, “Why did I do that?” Instead, lets walk like Jesus and glorify, honor, and please our Heavenly Father!

If you do not know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, and you have been trying to do the right thing(s), I pray that you would go to our Life Preserver page (https://forgiven-n-loved.com/life-preserver/) and pray the prayer that is outlined there. The right thing, is praying that prayer. Through that prayer God can forgive you, open you up to a relationship with Him and adopt you as a beloved son or daughter. Please pray that prayer and once you have, reach out to me at admin@Forgiven-N-Loved.com. I’d love to be in prayer for you.

Luv Ya!