The Tale Of The Bale

Two days ago I was working at the docks of a department store in Dallas and I was assigned to work on the "bale". For those of you in Blogland who don't already know it, the bale is a machine where empty boxes are being thrown so it could be recycled. I was taught about twice already by my supervisor how to empty the machine if it becomes full. But that one particular day I didn't do it right not just once but twice. The first time I did it I sought the assistance of a guy named Arthur and he gave me a disdained look and it didn't take an "Einstien" to figure out that he wasn't pleased with what I had done. But to give him credit he did try to help but gave up in the end, in contrast my supervisor and manager, Al and Terrie were very gracious in the way that they assisted me. They told me that even though I was briefed about how to handle the machine it would take some time before I could really familiarize myself on how it should be operated properly. Al and Terrie's demeanor reminded me of how God treats His kids, yes there is grace but there is also the expectation of performing profeciently at work. We will fall and make mistakes and just like the "tale of the bale" we ought not to remain oblivious on how to operate the machine the right way ergo the same thought process should follow in our walk with God.

We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual sold as a slave to sin. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do - this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me.

So I find this law at work; When I want to do good, evil is right there with me for my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! who will rescue me will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through JESUS CHRIST our LORD!

Paul, The Apostle
In his letter to the church in Rome
Romans 7:14-23

Ezra 9