In part 1, Without Grace, I explored through short prose and poetry, the opposition of works to grace. Now I want to turn to the conflict within even when grace is accepted. We are at battle within ourselves, “For the good I want, I do not do,but I practice the very evil that I do not want.” (Romans 7:19). The battle originates in the desire to be autonomous, that is self-ruled. But why would a Christian who has understood the grace and mercy afforded him at the cross want to rule when Jesus has done all that is needed infinitely better? I believe that embedded in this autonomy is a deep seated fear that God does not have our best interest at heart: “The serpent said to the woman,’You surely shall not die! For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.'” (Genesis 3:4-5) Translated to modern vernacular, “God is holding out on you.” Satan has tempted us with this line of thinking ever since. So there is our need, eternal and daily. There is God’s sovereignty and justice, unmovable. Between them lies God’s grace in Jesus, satisfying both. Several years ago I tried to express this conflict and solution in a song that you can look at by clicking on Grace to Live
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