"What's wrong with me?" "Aren't I supposed to be past this by now?" "Why do I keep doing things that I don't want to do?"

Do you ever ask yourself questions like these? The apostle Paul did. In Romans 7 we find Paul identifying with our struggle to live that honors God.

God sets the standard and the standard is perfection.

How do we make sense of this struggle

There is a battle going on within us every day: Our Sin Nature vs. The Holy Spirit

The battle is actually evidence that the Holy Spirit is alive in you. Without the Holy Spirit all you have is your sin nature.

Today's BIG idea - Pursuit NOT Perfection

God is not demanding perfection from you, because he already provided perfection for you.

Justification - "Just as if I had never sinned" - Declared righteous in an instant, once and for all.

Sanctification - the life-long process of becoming more and more like Jesus

What practical steps can I take to pursue Jesus?

1) Don't Hide.
- Tell God "God, here's where I fell, and here's what I want to do differently."
- Tell someone else

2) Take the next right step

3) Track Pursuit NOT Perfection
"Where have I seen growth, even if it's small?"

4) Remember who you REALLY are.
You are not defined by your mistakes. Your identity is in Christ.

Your missteps aren't as important as your next step. What next step will you take?