Answer: “I need directions”
Question: What are three words you’ll never hear a man say? 🙂

Being a directionally challenged male I can make fun of the stereotype. I could get completely lost in a subdivision. I need direction!

I need not only geographic direction but also spiritual direction. I will admit even with clear directions I sometimes stumble. Knowing what to do and actually doing it are two very different things. I sometimes feel like how Paul describes himself:

I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? (‭Romans‬ ‭7‬:‭21-24‬ NLT)

It’s as if we get in a pattern of sin that repeats itself and keeps us from advancing in our spiritual walk.

How do we overcome this feeling of being stuck in a rut?

Following Jesus is the only way to get out of the rut of sin you may be in.

Scripture identifies the solution to our sin problem:

Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is:

In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin. (‭Romans‬ ‭7‬:‭25‬ NLT)

Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace. (‭Romans‬ ‭6‬:‭12-14‬ NLT)

When you repent from the sin in your life you begin to change direction and experience freedom, but how can you tell it’s the right direction?

During this past Sunday’s sermon I briefly discussed the following chart and I feel it is worth including in this weeks blog. It shows some practical ways to evaluate if we are beginning to get our lives on track.

We need direction in our lives to prevent us from driving into danger. Scripture warns of the consequences of ignoring its direction:

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23NLT)

I’m praying for God’s guidance and direction for all our lives!

Scott Pollard
Associate Pastor