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Todays was;
Did you ever see my picture?
( Letters of John Newton )
"I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do--that I do not do; but what I hate--that I do. 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!" Romans 7
Did you ever see my picture? It has been drawn by a masterly hand. And though another person, and one whom I am far from resembling, sat for it--it is as like me as one new penny is like another! The original was drawn at Corinth --and sent to the Christians at Rome . Many copies have been produced, and it has a place in most public and private libraries, and I would hope in most families. I had seen it a great many times, before I could discover one of my own features in it--but then my eyes were very bad.
What is most remarkable, is that it was drawn long before I was born! And now, having been favored with some excellent eye-salve , I quickly knew it to be my own. I am drawn in a posture which would be strange and peculiar, if it was not so common with me--looking two different and opposite ways at once, so that you would be puzzled to tell whether my eyes are fixed upon heaven-- or upon the earth! I am aiming at two things inconsistent with each other at the same time, so that I can accomplish neither.
According to the different light in which you view the picture, I appear to rejoice--or to mourn; to have nothing--or possessing everything; to be a conqueror--or a captive. In a word, I am a double person! I am a riddle ! So it is no wonder if you know not what to make of me--for I cannot tell what to make of myself!
I would--and I would not.
I do--and I do not.
I can--and I cannot.
I find the hardest things easy--and the easiest things impossible.
I am both rich--and poor.
I can do nothing--yet I can do all things.
I am opposed beyond my strength--yet I am not overpowered.
I gain when I lose--and I often am a loser by my gains.
But while I am in this perplexity , you will observe in the same picture--a hand stretched forth for my relief, and may see a label proceeding out of my mouth with these words, "Thanks be to God--through Jesus Christ our Lord!" The more I study this picture, the more I discover some new and striking resemblance, which convinces me that the Painter knew me better than I knew myself!
"I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do--I do not do; but what I hate--I do. 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!" Romans 7
In a word, I am a sinner , a vile one--but a sinner believing in Jesus!
I am a silly sheep --but I have a gracious, watchful Shepherd!
I am a dull scholar --but I have a Master who can make the dullest learn.
