Scripture:

“I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 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.” - Romans 7:18b-19

Thought for the day:

A few years back there was a news article about Burger King’s Twitter account being hacked into by someone who began posting (rival company) McDonald’s information. The hacker then went on to post racial epithets, references to drug use, and obscenities. Obviously a rough day for Burger King as the terrible image of the restaurant being projected to the public wasn’t real!

As I was remembering Burger King’s misfortune, I began to realize that the image we project to the public often isn’t real either. Why? Because our lives have been hacked, not through social media but through sin. Sin colors our view of creation, constructs controversy over our true values, and ultimately ruins our reputations. Like the apostle Paul, hacked by sin we “do not understand (our) own actions. For (we) do not do what (we) want, but (we) do the very thing (we) hate.”

While sin can never change the fact that we are God’s children, nor can it change the immensity of God’s love, it does change our relationship with God. It does change how we perceive ourselves and how we perceive and are perceived by others. The blessing is that, if you are reading this post, it isn’t too late to address your misfortune. Regain control over the sin that has breached your life through a renewed focus on the security one finds in a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Prayer for the day: Heavenly Father, sin dwells within me and I do not do the good I want to do. Cleanse me from all unrighteousness and free me to serve you fully. Amen.