O Wretched Man That I Am

Do you find it hard at times to do what you know you should do? Or to not do what you know you shouldn't? Either one, I find it hard. For I am carnal, sold under sin. There are many things I realised I should be doing. And there are things which I realised I should stop doing. But too often, I push it to tomorrow. And too often, tomorrow never comes. I learnt a lesson lately - that if you tell yourself "Alright, Clarence, this would be the last time," or "Alright, Clarence, I'll do it tomorrow," - things will never get done. Believe that.

What's worse is, when ur mind and body speaks a different language. Your mind says, "Clarence, this is bad. No!" but your body says "Who cares, man. Go ahead. No harm done. Fun is the ultimate." Do we all experience this? I strongly believe we do. At this point, the cry of Paul echoes very deeply through my mind. In Romans, Paul said and I quote - "O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God - through Jesus Christ our Lord!"

Yes indeed, Paul was speaking for all of us. At one time or another in our lives, we all experienced this spiritual pain of being carnal, where deep down inside us, we want to follow God's laws but too often, the flesh is weak, and we yield to temptations. This, of course, seems like a no way out for us but let's take a look at what I Corinthians 10:13 says.

"No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it."

Now, see? What excuse have we to say that the temptation was too great? Or to term it in a crueler manner, what excuse have we to sin? The answer is - none. So, my friends, take heed today, for what you read here is not by chance, but by the will and grace of God.

Ah, Lord God. Thank You for Your love to me. Thank You for Your grace so free.

Amen.