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Romans 7:13-25

Relationships a mess worth making?

Lately I’ve lived on an emotional island; engaging with people only as much has been required. I’ve been hiding. People in my life have let me down and I’m angry. Distance has been my friend, it has made me feel safe.

Emotional island

But within my safety there is loneliness and that hurts. So I reach out to people for comfort, for friendship and find that it takes effort with sometimes no reward. So I retreat again to my island. Relationships are messy, awkward, painful and necessary.

God made me a creature of community, like himself. Not made to be alone but to live in harmony with God and neighbour. God loves using people to help me grow by exposing what I worship. If my kids are fighting for the billionth time and I lose it with them I have an opportunity to realise that in that situation I worship my comfort. I long for peace and quite. I believe that raising my voice is quickest way I will achieve what I want.

God has put me within family and community so that I can exercise his love, forgiveness, patience, perseverance. Worship of my own comfort makes me want to live on an emotional island. Christ wants me to live within the mess of relationships because that is the best context for me to become less selfish and self centred.

God wants me to put in the hard work, to spend the time my kids need to understand that they fight because of what they worship; to have what they want, to get their way, to win the argument, to be better than their sister or brother. God wants me to train my kids to worship him and that they do this by serving each other rather than wanting to have their own way. No more islands, I’m going to role up my emotional sleeves and enter the messiness of relationships. the Rev

Romans 7:13-25: Don’t hate God’s law

Bible Reading: Romans 7:13-25

Exercises

• Explore how the law exposes not just our actions but also our affections v13-20.

• Discuss specifically in what way you have contradictory purposes in your life v21-23.

• Share how repenting (unmasking idol) and rejoicing (worshipping Christ) can help set you free v24-25 

• How can we help, encourage and support you within your personal struggle?   

Prayer: Heavenly Father forgive me for being so quick to turn away from you, exchanging you for trash. Change my heart so that I long for you, so that I trust you more than what I myself can find in this world. Enable me to rest in what you provide me, and to see my relationships as opportunities to serve rather than be served. Use me Lord to bless you and people. Amen