I changed my major 3 times in my first three years of college. My indecision forced me to spend five years for my under graduate degree instead of 4. Meanwhile, by the time my I completed my internship in golf course design and maintenance, I realized that I had become an expert in the wrong field. By the mid 1990’s most golf clubs wanted to hire former famous members of the PGA Tour rather than a no name golf course architect.
Did that which is good then prove fatal [bringing death] to me? Certainly not! It was sin, working death in me by using this good thing [as a weapon], in order that through the commandment sin might be shown up clearly to be sin, that the extreme malignity and immeasurable sinfulness of sin might plainly appear. 14 We know that the Law is spiritual; but I am a creature of the flesh [carnal, unspiritual], having been sold into slavery under [the control of] sin, Romans 7:13-14.
In one chapter of the Bible, the apostle Paul makes an ironic confession. This individual called by God to become a special messenger to spread the good news about Jesus reveals his own addiction to sin. Despite his missionary journeys and special connection with some of Jesus’ disciples, Paul was an expert in the wrong field (SIN). An entire chapter of his letter to the Church at Rome reveals Paul’s internal battle.
However, it is no longer I who do the deed, but the sin [principle] which is at home in me and has possession of me. 18 For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot perform it. [I have the intention and urge to do what is right, but no power to carry it out.] 19 For I fail to practice the good deeds I desire to do, but the evil deeds that I do not desire to do are what I am [ever] doing, Romans 7:17-19.
Romans 7 depicts Paul as an average human being struggling to get by. Perhaps, conviction consumed Paul to finally let the cat out of the bag, that he didn’t have everything together. Instead of living a lie, Paul comes clean to open up about how sin was controlling his life. While not many people want to admit it, we are all experts in the field of sin, Romans 3:23. Although you may try to conceal this, don’t be afraid to come out of the closet as an expert in the wrong field so that other people who hear your confession may be encouraged to make a u-turn back to God.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 