Struggling with Obedience to God's Will in Personal Life

This truth addresses the universal human experience of struggling with obedience to God's will. Paul writes in Romans 8:28 that "we know that for those who love God all things work together for good," yet even the apostle Paul himself struggled with doing God's will, as seen in his own confessions of weakness and sin. The doctrine of total depravity, affirmed in Reformed theology, acknowledges that humanity's sinful nature rebels against God's will, making obedience a challenge.

This struggle with obedience is not unique to non-believers, but is a common experience among Christians as well, who, despite being redeemed, still battle with the remnants of sin in their lives. The gospel connection is crucial here, as it reminds believers that their obedience is not the basis of their salvation, but rather a response to the grace they have received in Christ.

The pastoral perspective on this truth is one of compassion and understanding, recognizing that believers will indeed struggle with obedience, but encouraging them to look to Christ, who perfectly obeyed God's will, and to trust in the power of the Holy Spirit to enable their own obedience. In this struggle, believers are reminded to fix their eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of their faith, and to trust in God's sovereignty and grace to guide them in their walk with Him.