feel like a basket case?

What do we do when trouble comes and we want to cooperate with the purposes the Lord wants to accomplish in our lives as we endure difficulty and work through it?

First, ADMIT OUR INSUFFIECIENCY.

Second, ACKNOWLEDGE THE IMPOSSIBILITY OF LIVING THE CHRISTIAN LIFE.

God’s standard is perfection!  Jesus told us!
Matthew 5:48 NKJV   Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
 
We cannot meet the standard.  That is why we must be saved.

• He paid the death penalty for our sin.
• When we trust Christ, He forgives and cleanses us; we are born again.

• But even after salvation, we still sin on occasion.

 
1 John 1:8-9 NKJV   8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

The fact of the matter is No one lives the perfect Christian life!

What about Paul?  If anyone did, he did.  Let’s ask him.  Paul, we are looking for a noble example.  Give it your best shot.  We want you to tell us the best things about your life.  Just, take a break from the humility thing for a minute and boast on what you do best in following Christ.

​Here is his answer: 
2 Corinthians 11:30-33 NKJV   30 If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity. 31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying. 32 In Damascus the governor, under Aretas the king, was guarding the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desiring to arrest me; 33 but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and escaped from his hands.

Paul says, “I was a basket case preacher.”

The crowds loved me so much they made me the star of a rock group - they stoned me.

The government took notice of the beneficial effects of my preaching and guarded the city gates so I could not escape.  They were even willing to put me up at government expense in the Sheraton Dungeonton.

Paul says, “All because of my weakness, my inadequacy, my inability to live the Christian life.”
This helps me personally to identify with Paul more than at any other point.  I cannot touch him when it comes to his strengths.  I am right there with him when it comes to his weaknesses!  And, …

It is Paul who says to the Romans

• I know to do right.
• I want to do right.
• But I still do wrong!

 
Folks, do not be discouraged by this news about Paul because it is good news to you and me.  Listen, when trials come, and we want to cooperate with what God is doing in our life,

• We admit our inadequacy.
• We acknowledge the impossibility of living the Christian life.

 
And with this we are ready for the third step which will bring greater success and blessings than any of us can imagine.  We will examine it tomorrow!

EMAIL BRO. MIKE