He Alone is Able

Credit goes to The Christian Heretic whose deft logic able prose was the inspiration for this post.

Law incites sin.  We hardly need the scriptures to confirm what our experience teaches us. Anyone who has attempted a diet can cite ample proof.  The imposition of law has the effect of inciting rebellion. No one is exempt from the axiom. Paul makes this abundantly clear in Romans 5, 7 and 8.

It seems an odd thing then that we continue to insist on imposing law. The ways in which we attempt this are legion.  Signing contracts, dedicating ourselves to some discipline, promising adherence to some creed, agreeing to some covenant or other.  All have the effect of creating in us the desire to do the opposite of what was intended.

Do we not see that these impositions are ill-fated?  That frustration and even dispair can result?  Is it not indeed true that we, of ourselves, even with the best of intentions to keep the noblest of principals when they are obviously in our own best interest, are utterly unable to perform?

Now some will protest success in this endeavor.  But John has the answer for them. "He that says he has no sin is a liar and the truth is not in him."  We conclude they are blind to their own weaknesses.

Where does this leaves us?  Shall we not trust the One who made us for His own pleasure?  When He says "He that hath begun a good work in you will finish it ..." we may have confidence.

We will never achieve what we desire by the keeping of some law.  Indeed, to use law for this end will have the opposite effect.  We must trust to the One who created law to prove to us this very point.  He alone is able.