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DEVOTION / Answers for your tests

DEVOTION / Answers for your tests

Blog, Devotions

"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 . . . . Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:18b-19, 25, NIV).

Your go-to answer

My daughter was not a test-taker. It was hard for her to get her thoughts on paper. But she did have a great go-to answer! She loved to say: "The answer is always Jesus." In a way, she’s right — isn't she?

Fill in these blanks

Just like tests in school are a universal experience, Christians -- whether in China, the Americas, Europe, Africa, or wherever -- find themselves failing "temptation tests" in their lives of faith.

Consider this inner dialogue. Fill in your own blanks.

  • Lord, I did ________ again.

  • I can’t believe it. I know I promised _______ wouldn’t happen again.

  • I tried my best not for _______ to happen again.

  • ________ seems to be more than I can handle.

  • Here I am again. Please forgive ________ again.

God’s answer = Jesus

For the countless times we have failed the tests in our lives, God has provided the one and only answer. Romans 7 discusses this problem and its solution. It is worth your time to read the entire chapter, but two key verses especially get to the heart of the matter.

In verses 18-19, Paul describes the Christian's desire to pass the test, but our common failings: "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."

Then in verse 25, Paul shares the ultimate answer to our human failings: "Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!”

When it concerns our failures, the answer is always Jesus.  

Prayer

Lord Jesus, despite our best intentions, we often fail. We fall into pet sins and find ourselves at your feet seeking forgiveness again and again. Thank you for your mercy. Thank you for casting our sins away and remembering them no more. Grant us strength to resist temptation. Through your power only can we overcome. Amen.

 

316NOW is excited to share Jesus — the ultimate answer — with souls around the world. We fill in the blanks for so many seeking God's answers to their questions. Please pray for and support the ministry of 316NOW.