Romans 7:19-25
For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. 22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
By now we have all seen the footage and discussed the horrific events that unfolded January 6, 2021 as anarchist stormed and invaded our nation’s Capital. I was appalled to learn that they sought to harm elected officials, marched through the sacred halls with a Confederate flag and smeared human waste on the floors and walls. Like you I wondered, “what happened?” Wasn’t it just four years ago former President Donald Trump imposed a ban on Muslims from foreign nations? Shouldn’t that have prevented actions like January 6th? I say emphatically “NO!” because the enemy is within.
As law enforcement continues to investigate, they have learned: retired and active-duty military, retired and active-duty police officers, and even elected officials were identified as some of the perpetrators. An individual from the media stated that many in the crowd looked like someone’s mother or father. The Capital Police Department stated that they were only expecting to handle traffic issues: they underestimated the size and intentions of the mob. This should serve as a spiritual warning to all of us who name Jesus as Savior and Lord.
In the referenced Scripture the Apostle Paul gives a descriptive and eloquent message regarding his ongoing struggle with his flesh or carnal (worldly) desire. He uses terms and phrases like, “…when I would do good, evil is always present,” “…O wretched man that I am,” and “…I see another member in within me warring against me.” The problem that led to the riot and failed coup attempt on January 6th is not amongst Muslims, Jews or African Americans. There is a sub-culture in our nation that is being fueled by hate, racism, and fear. It is difficult to guard against because it is within us.
My friend, our greatest challenge we face in serving Jesus is the enemy within us that still has a craving and weakness for a life of sin and corruption. We can blame the devil, our neighbor, or someone who hurt us emotionally, physically, or even spiritually. But the real enemy is within us. The seditionists were hard to control and have been even harder to apprehend because they look a lot like us!
How many times have I blamed someone else for not getting a promotion or raise? How many times have we blamed someone else for a dead or boring message or dry service? I am sure you have scolded your children when they blamed their friend for getting them in trouble. Unfortunately, we are often guilty of the same sin.
If you have an opportunity, read the account of Joshua’s loss at Ai (Joshua 7), Nehemiah chapters 7 and 13, or Matthew 15:1-11. Joshua and Israel should have easily defeated Ai, but there was sin in the camp. Nehemiah and the people were trying to rebuild the walls of the city, but Sanballat and Tobias hindered their efforts. Later (chapter 13) when the temple was restored, one of Tobias’ relatives had secured a room for him. In Matthew 15, Jesus informs the Pharisees that they were clean on the outside. They focused on hand washing and fasting, but they were rotten on the inside.
As we pursue true holiness this year, let us do as the Apostle Paul admonished us in I Corinthians 11:28 and “…let a man examine himself.” Perhaps Isaiah said it best in Isaiah 59:1-2 – “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.”
I bless you in the name of the Lord!