Going Against God's Will

Over the past few weeks I have been struggling with the fact that even though I am a believer in Christ and even though I know what is right and wrong, I still sin. Trying to live my life for Christ while some times purposely going against God's will seems to be a contradiction. But I believe that every believer has the same issue. They've just never thought about it too deeply. But I want to know why I do what I do even though I know what I do is wrong (Romans 7).

How did Christ handle this issue? Of course, he never sinned and was God incarnate. But how did Christ deal with the temptation of sin to go against his Father's will? John 12:27-28 reads, "Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!" (NIV)

There is no how-to list of thing I can do to overcome my sinful nature and desires. But the example of Christ is very telling. Though Christ may have wanted to not suffer on the cross he wanted to do the will of his Father even more. In fact, the more I read in scripture the more I find out that God desires to be glorified by my life through my actions, words, and thoughts. So, the questions I need to ask myself is not, "How can I not sin?" Instead, the question should be, "How can I glorify my Father today?" Or a simple statement may do, "Father, glorify your name!"

Why I am Posting This Blog

I am a pastor in the midwest and I started this blog simply for the fact that even as a pastor I am struggling to live and follow the will of God in my life. I am not a deep theologian who uses large words, but my desire for this blog is to express my struggles and pains in trying to live for Christ. That is the reason I named this spot "Off-Road Pastor." I desire to get off the road of always driving down the same-old road and dig into the will of God and how I can and should react to his will. I hope that through this spot God is glorified and his message of grace, love, mercy, and justice are spread.

Please feel free to comment on my posts. Disagreements are welcome but please use scripture to back up your agrument. If I'm off my rocker or need to be set straight don't hesitate to let me know.