The "I" in the Middle

It has been said there is one thing you can be certain of when categorizing sin. . .there will always be an "I" in the middle.  This can be seen literally on the written page, but also if you consider the kinds of things God classifies as sin.  Galatians 6:19-21 is one passage of scripture which outlines "acts of the sinful nature":

The acts of the sinful nature are obvious:

sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;

idolatry and witchcraft;

hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage,

selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy;

drunkenness, orgies, and the like.

 

If you were to summarize the above list, processing it into a common denominator, what you will find is they are things which are "self-focused".  "I want things my way!"  Whether you look at a list of the 10 Commandments originally given to Moses or focus on the words of Jesus as He summarized them into 2, keeping them points in an opposite direction, bringing glory to God.

 

Contemplating the "I" in the middle, I was caught by the two letters on either side.  It seems as if we have a choice in the direction we head, once we are made aware of the focus on "self".  To one side there is "S", which we could say represents "satan" and his pull in a negative direction.  On the other we find "N", a reminder of the words spoken by Jesus as He neared the end of His journey to the cross, "Not My will, but Thine".  (See Luke 22:42) 

 

Jesus saw the road ahead and knew it would not be a pleasant one.  He knew His Heavenly Father was asking Him to give up His life in a painful and agonizing death on the cross.  His "I" focus was, "I really don't want to do this!"  Yet we find a willingness to look past "self" and turn instead to His Heavenly Father's will. 

 

In contrast, let's look at the Fruit of the Spirit list found in the next verses of Galatians 6 (v. 22-23)

 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,

patience, kindness, goodness,

faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Against such things there is no law.

 

This list is compiled of attributes God desires to see in our lives.  They are ones which extend outward from us into the lives of others, reflecting God's divine nature as opposed to the sinful nature we are born into.  It is also interesting to note the last in the list of fruit is self-control, which seeks to put a lasso around the "I" in the middle and pull it, as Jesus did, toward pleasing our Heavenly Father.

 

Take time this week-end for a self evaluation.  What parts of your life are saying, "I want things my way, not God's!"  Perhaps you aren't even sure what God's ways are.  If this is the case, spend some time reading His Word and reacquaint yourself with His divine nature.  As the Holy Spirit convicts you of areas of sin in your life, ask God to forgive you and focus on doing things His way in the future.  It is the only route to true and lasting happiness!