Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Romans 7:24
When the body is naturally sinful, what can I do but go on sinning and seek absolution?
But, even more disturbing is the fact that, if I know this to be true, why do I continue to do it anyway?
I think therefore I am?
wretch·ed 
[rech-id] Pronunciation Key – Show IPA Pronunciation
–adjective, -er, -est.
| 1. | very unfortunate in condition or circumstances; miserable; pitiable. |
| 2. | characterized by or attended with misery and sorrow. |
| 3. | despicable, contemptible, or mean: a wretched miser. |
| 4. | poor, sorry, or pitiful; worthless: a wretched job of sewing. |
[Origin: 1150–1200; ME wrecchede. See wretch, -ed3]
—Related forms
wretch·ed·ly, adverb
wretch·ed·ness, noun
—Synonyms 1. dejected, distressed, afflicted, woeful, woebegone, forlorn, unhappy. 2. Wretched, miserable, sorry refer to that which is unhappy, afflicted, or distressed. Wretched refers to a condition of extreme affliction or distress, esp. as outwardly apparent: wretched hovels. Miserable refers more to the inward feeling of unhappiness or distress: a miserable life. Sorry applies to distressed, often poverty-stricken outward circumstances; but it has connotations of unworthiness, incongruousness, or the like, so that the beholder feels more contempt than pity: in a sorry plight. 3. base, vile.
God’s grace, through the cross; ensured my deliverance from my wretchedness. It was the only solution to my human condition. Holiness. It’s all He wants for me. I am holier today, than yesterday, I cannot do any better than that; through Him. The divide between holiness and wretchedness is the relationship with Jesus Christ.
Are you unashamedly wretched?
Filed under: Kurt Puterbaugh | Tagged: Grace, New Testament, Paul, Romans, Sin, The Cross, Wretched
Wretched, and forever grateful that His grace is enough. Grateful that although I will certainly stumble, fall, and sin – that I don’t have to lie down and give up, leaving myself to just “sin” because I’m a sinner. I’m grateful for the Spirit of God to help me as I walk the daily walk of sanctification, becoming more like Him … learning to say “no” to the desires of my sinful nature. Learning to listen to His voice – to see the path of escape that He promises in His word … to rise up and be the “new man” He created me to be.
Sure, I’ll sin. But I’m forever grateful for the cross that delivers me from this curse.
“East To West”
Here I am, Lord, and I’m drowning in your sea of forgetfulness
The chains of yesterday surround me
I yearn for peace and rest
I don’t want to end up where You found me
And it echoes in my mind, keeps me awake tonight
I know You’ve cast my sin as far as the east is from the west
And I stand before You now as though I’ve never sinned
But today I feel like I’m just one mistake away from You leaving me this way
Jesus, can You show me just how far the east is from the west
’cause I can’t bear to see the man I’ve been come rising up in me again
In the arms of Your mercy I find rest
’cause You know just how far the east is from the west
From one scarred hand to the other
I start the day, the war begins, endless reminding of my sin
Time and time again Your truth is drowned out by the storm I’m in
Today I feel like I’m just one mistake away from You leaving me this way
I know You’ve washed me white, turned my darkness into light
I need Your peace to get me through, to get me through this night
I can’t live by what I feel, but by the truth Your word reveals
I’m not holding on to You, but You’re holding on to me
You’re holding on to me
Jesus, You know just how far the east is from the west
I don’t have to see the man I’ve been come rising up in me again
In the arms of Your mercy I find rest
’cause You know just how far the east is from the west
From one scarred hand to the other
One scarred hand to the other
From one scarred hand to the other
Good stuff guys, I’m especially impressed that I got Aaron to break into song, a complete song. We’re gonna turn this thing up a notch. As I was reading those lyrics, I suddenly was at the PK2006 convention in Atlanta. 15,000 men were singing:
…….Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe,
sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow…….
Awesome!
No doubt. The lyrics to that Casting Crowns song are incredible when you really read them. The song is okay, but the lyrics speak to some real truth in my life. Thought it fit nicely with the post.