8/6/15: I Want What I Want
Most of us would not consider ourselves to be greedy. In the main, we like to think we are generous, kind people who are willing to lend a hand or share our possessions if need be. However, Romans chapter 8 suggests a level of possible avarice we may not have formerly considered.
In the eighth chapter of Romans, Paul makes the case for those who are in Christ Jesus, stating that we are not under the condemnation of the law. We live that out by “not walk[ing] according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit… [because] the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made [us] free from the law of sin and death” Romans 8:1-2 (NKJ). The greed on our part comes in when we claim the name of Christ and rejoice over the fact that He death, burial, and resurrection indeed freed us, yet we continue to live double lives. We greedily bask in the glory of our salvation while also greedily enjoying the deceptive pleasures brought to us by our sinful nature (to which we are supposed to be dead).
What’s wrong with us? “We are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live” Romans 8:12-13. We are debtors. Don’t we realize that we owe God and our “payment” to Him is righteous living? But no, we want what we want, and we actually feel overwhelmed by the lusts of our flesh. We feel like we can’t help ourselves when we greedily give in to whatever carnal desires of the moment rear their ugly heads.
How about trying to remember that “we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together…” and “consider that the sufferings of this present time (saying no to the flesh, for example) are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” Romans 8:16-18. Let’s give over and confess the manner in which we have greedily held onto our sinful ways. Replace that greed with a voracious appetite for righteousness.
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