How Can He Do That!

He can do that because he is a sinner like all of us! How many times do we wonder how a Christian can do the things they do, say the things they say and yet truly be a Christian. Many ask that of themselves as they wrestle day after day with sin in their lives. I know pastors who have been addicted to pornography, setting up meetings with young teenage girls on the internet, having affairs with their secretaries etc. I have known several Christian women who have had affairs. I knew a pastor's wife who left her husband a note and took off never to return as his wife. I couldn't even begin to list the sinful things people can do and the evil that is still present with all of us at times because sin runs that deep in this world and still is a struggle in us. Yet, when we are personally affected by these types of situations we stand back and say "How can they do that!"

Romans 7: 13-25 is Paul's explanation for this question. This very fine Apostle who was theologically educated, saw Jesus face to face, lived a life of dying to himself so he could live for Christ, still struggled with sin. As he is explaining his struggle with sin he speaks of how sin dwells in him. In verse 21 he says, "I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good." He uses the word evil. It is a strong word which depicts the total depravity in each one of us. Therefore what we say and do is effected by sin. Here is the marvelous, wonderful, awesome good news. We can thank the Lord as Paul does that it is through Jesus Christ our Lord we have been delivered from this body of death! "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit (Romans 8:1)."

When we have been "shattered" because someone we love has sinned against us let us remember that except for the grace of God in our lives we would do the same thing. When people behave as evildoers instead of the Christians they profess to be pray for them and remind them with humility that Christ died so they can be free from the power of sin over them.

Let us not be surprised by the sin that dwells in us but amazed by the grace of God and His forgiveness to us through Jesus Christ.