With March Madness upon us I was thinking through Galatians 5:16-26 and the war we wage against lust. Now I realize that this passage isn’t talking solely about lust and sad to say it doesn’t talk about basketball at all but what an amazing answer Paul gives us in Galatians 5 as we ask how can we win this war against lust. The chapter starts by reminding us that we are free, set free from the bondage of sin. Then he gives this warning, don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. He then states what is key and crucial for us in gaining day by day victory over flesh and lust – you ready? Here it is, drum-roll please….. “You can’t do it”.
Wow, such encouraging words about winning – “you can’t”. Great pep talk huh? It’s like the coach huddling us up in the closing minute of the game during a crucial timeout. Expecting to hear him passionately encourage us and draw up a play for us to win the game, instead he brashly says, “You can’t do it.” The coach reminds us of what happens when we go out onto the court without a plan. He then proceeds by asking us what happens when five guys are thinking five different things and have at least five different ways we will get the winning basket? All five players are awakened out of their dream world of hitting the winning shot by a coach telling them they cannot win ….. unless.
