• Saint Or Sinner?

  Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Sep 23, 2019 (message contributor)

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  Scripture:  Romans 7:7-25

  Tags:  Nature, Sinner, Saint, Two Natures

  Denomination: Baptist

Saint or Sinner?

Lord, I'm not sure what I am or what I ain't.

Am I a saint playing sinner or a sinner playing saint?

I love your truth, but I am not good at obeying, as you know.

I can run with the sinners, but feel guilty when I go.

Some of the things I crave are sin, and Lord, I know it,

But deep within me there is a voice yelling, "Go for it!"

I love to sing the hymns and feel at home when I preach,

But temptation is just to strong when sin is within easy reach.

Saints or sinners welcome me; to their parties I give life.

Trying to be holy with either only leads to stress and strife.

With a squirt gun I'd have charged Hell at just a word from you,

But from both sides of the Cross I was beaten black and blue.

I wanted to be perfect, loyal, brave, and strong,

But each time I quoted You, my brothers said I was wrong.

I sought to spread the Word from Revelation back to Moses,

But neither saints nor sinners could handle very large doses.

So I became discouraged and felt I could not ever win.

What else could I do, if you didn't want me, but return to sin?

My life is deep depression and a dark, lonely night.

I want to come back to You, but I can't find the path of light.

Lord, I feel as helpless as the thief upon the cross.

I can't change my situation and struggling is just more loss.

Jesus, like him, I can only make this request of You.

In Your kingdom, remember me and let me live there, too.

Aug 17,1991 RES