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21 So I find it to be a law that when I want to do what is good, evil lies close at hand. ²²For I delight in the law of God in my inmost self, ²³but I see in my members another law at war with the law of my mind, making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. ²⁴Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? ²⁵Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!

So then, with my mind I am a slave to the law of God, but with my flesh I am a slave to the law of sin.

The New Revised Standard Version (Anglicized Edition), copyright 1989, 1995 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.

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At this very moment in time, my beliefs are being shaped and inspired by a man named Paul.  Many know of him and have read much about him but questions arise in my mind in regards to how well they can truly relate to him.  A persecutor, a philosopher, and a missionary may describe some of the identities Paul carried with him, but I most relate to him as being a struggler.  Although in the will of God, Paul seemed to constantly fight battles with the dark side. In most cases, if not all, he would be victorious over them because of Christ Jesus who was living in him. 

In my life today, I know Christ lives within me, and if I died, I would without a doubt go to heaven.  Over the past month or so, I feel as if I have been training for a battle but not actually fighting in it once I step foot onto the field.  My flesh has become infiltrated with worldly commitments that fill my time and my productivity as a Christian has been lacking.  Slowly I find myself seeping into the ways of the world but am easily able to discern these things in which I do because of my commitment in continuing to nourish my soul with God's word, prayer, and praise. 

Although these three things are vital to Christian lives, without action through love and faith in relation to others, little can be done with them.  From the beginning, humans were designed to praise and glorify God.  Once sin entered the world, our main objective remained the same, but became altered by sin, which is why God provided a way through Jesus' death to get around that altercation.  Now we as Christians all have a duty to help others around us get around this altercation, so they can glorify the one true God and escape an eternity in hell.

Acting in love and faith are the two most important things I have found that help me stay true to my duty.  When I lack time in these areas because of worldly commitments, I begin falling and start becoming less useful to my Master.  Thanks to Jesus Christ, I am able to go through these struggles just as Paul did, learn from them, and come out of them victoriously.