One of the reasons that people fail to reach the goals that they set is that they try to reach their goals in isolation. Once they make goals, they set a plan in motion to reach their goals without praying to God for help or reaching out to anyone else to help them in their process of reaching goals or growing. The truth is, when we try to grow or set goals on our own in isolation, we will not get very far. We need the help of others and Christ if we want to succeed in growing and reaching the goals that are important to us.
The apostle Paul turned to Jesus Christ for help in the middle of his struggles, knowing that he could not accomplish his goals or live a God-honoring life on his own. In Romans 7, he talked about the battle between his sinful nature and his desire to live according to the Holy Spirit. In this passage of Scripture, he wrote, "I have discovered this principle in 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" (verse 23). In light of this truth, Paul exclaimed, "Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death?" (verse 24). Paul's words and tone in this passage were bleak, but they did not end on that bleak note. Paul continued his letter, saying, "Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord" (verse 25). Paul understood that in Jesus, he found freedom from sin and living according to his sinful nature. Jesus is the one who rescues all people from sin and helps us live lives that honor Him.
Have you been trying to meet goals and live a life that honors God that says "no" to sin in isolation? It is time to turn to Christ. Through His death and resurrection, you will find hope and help walking this life and battling against sin. Find hope in the remarkable truth that you are not alone, and turn to Him for help today.
What goals do you have today, and in what ways do you want to grow? Bring those before God today. Ask Him to help you as you seek to take steps to take steps in order to grow and live a life that brings Him glory.
16 But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. 17 So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.
18 And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. 19 I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. 20 But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.
21 I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. 22 I love God’s law with all my heart. 23 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. 24 Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? 25 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.
