Wretched Man That I Am...

Paul understands his sinfulness but understands moreover the finished work of Jesus! He understands his sins but proclaims Jesus' sacrifice for those sins!

Wretched Man That I Am...

This week's devotions are written by my son, Bryant Forshee, Junior High Pastor at Prestonwood Baptist Church.

- Pastor Danny

"Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!"

(Romans 7:24-25a, ESV)

Being in ministry, I have opportunities to get up in front of people and do what I love to do: unpack the word of God. Being in front of people and using words, I sometimes say things that I immediately regret! Let me confess before you all:

I was giving a message at our Young Adults Service, and as the bumper video came to a close and I was walking up to the stage, the crowd started hooting and hollering. I was blown away at their kindness, and without looking at my notes and going straight into the message, I decided to go off script. I said thank you, and then I said something very stupid! I said, "Wow! Kyndall [my wife], maybe you should greet me like this when I come home! Hahaha!"

Now pause. Writing this, I am cringing and thinking how DUMB of a human I am! Upon realizing the words that came out of my mouth, I immediately began eating crow! I was apologizing to Kyndall on stage, I was apologizing to the crowd. I knew I had messed up and knew I should not have said ANY of that! Well, fast forward to driving home with my AMAZING, INCREDIBLE, LOVELY wife Kyndall. I apologized like 5,324 times. She graciously forgave me, and we laughed about it after the fact.

As I reflect on my mistake, one thought keeps coming into my mind: "Why in the world would I say something like that?" Have you ever had moments like that? Where you said or did something you regretted? Of course, we all have, because we are all sinners. For today's public proclamation, I think it is important to understand how "wretched" we all are. Paul writes in Romans, "Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?" Paul is acknowledging the sin in his life and the active participation he has in this sin; however, he does not close out chapter 7 with how wretched he is.

Paul then goes on to say in verse 25, "Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!" Paul understands his sinfulness as a follower of Jesus but understands moreover the finished work of Jesus! He understands his sins, but he acknowledges and proclaims Jesus' sacrifice for those sins! Paul knows he is a wretched man who is in desperate need of a savior, and he knows that savior: Jesus Christ!

I think far too many times, we as followers of Jesus stop at, "Wretched man that I am!" We see our sin, acknowledge our sin and then dwell on the fact that we sinned. We declare our wretchedness and leave it at that. For today, our public declaration is verse 25! "Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!" When you sin today, confess it, and put the focus back on the finished work of Jesus on the cross of Calvary. Don't focus for too long on your sin that has been paid for; focus primarily on the One who paid for it and is worthy of our praise! Remember, all this week, we are going to be proclaiming the excellencies of Him who called us out of darkness and into His marvelous light!