Victim or Villain?

"Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." Galatians 5:24-25
"You, however are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you." Romans 8:9
"Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature." Colossians 3:5

I have a tendency to victimize myself when it comes to sin. The picture that I paint in my mind is this: I am in bondage to sin, I am trapped, I am defeated, my sin is the result of a force to powerful to control. But Paul says this in Romans 6:16: "You are slaves to the one whom you obey, whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness."

Every thought, every motive, every action, is by nature a choice of our own. We are not subject to our decisions and actions, rather they are subject to us. That is why Paul pleads, "Put to death whatever belongs to your earthly nature"! It is a concious choice. As Jesus put it, "take up your cross". In other words, be crucified with him. CHOOSE to do so. Jesus never pleaded or reasoned or begged, much less forced someone to follow him. In fact, Jesus often warned people about following him - the road is narrow, it is hard, few can travel it. Count the cost, are you able? There is always choice.

Yet beneath our choice lies the deciet and bondage of our sin. I feel that daily. It is a road that can only be walked by "keeping in step with the Spirit."

"...for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose." Philippians 2:13

"The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak." It is both - we choose to obey God. He works his will in us, and empowers us by his Spirit. We love God only because he condescended to love us first.