Call It What It Is “For I do not understand what I am doing; for I am not practicing what I want to do, but I do the very thing I hate.” Romans 7:15, NASB
As a rule, Americans today no longer call “sin” sin. Even in the Christian churches, we have developed another name for it, such as “a mistake,” “I failed,” “it is because of my parents,” or whatever other excuse we use to cover up sin.
We even go back to the old standby, which Adam used. “She made me do it.” That really doesn’t work if you want to stay married for long. (I have learned that these past 47 years.)
In May of 2025, I repented, publicly on Facebook (the new “women at the well” gathering place) of my sin of gluttony. Sure, I could have blamed my 220 pounds I carried, on a male frame of 5’9 ½”, on heritage, depressive “comfort food” eating, or just plain laziness. Besides, “that guy” is heavier than I am, so no big deal”, as I compared myself to others.
People even tried to provide an excuse for me, or comfort me, saying to try this or that diet; that it is not you, “it is the food we eat”. (Maybe, but still not the root cause.)
But the Lord looks at the heart. He knows our hearts. And He loves us too much to leave us in our sin, which brings us down, tears us apart, keeps us from walking in His plans and purposes for each of our lives. We will not be able to complete the mission He has for us, and desire to reveal to us daily, if we allow sin to hold us back, keep us unfit (physically and spiritually), and keep making excuses for that which we may actually hate, but can’t stop.
As Paul himself said, in Romans 17:17-20, “But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can’t keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I don’t have what it takes. I can will it, but I can’t do it. I decide to do good, but I don’t really do it; I choose not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don’t result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me, and it gets the better of me every time."
I repented, and I am glad I did. By His forgiveness and grace, I am now under 200 pounds since my return from Israel in May 2025. I will keep going. I am on a mission for God, and I need to be fit to accomplish it.
I hope you are, too. Complete the call He has on your life by being in good health, both spiritually and physically.
Ahava and Shalom,
Steve Martin P.S. I told you last week that I had a “really big” announcement to share with you. Here it is: Laurie and I are volunteering in Jerusalem, Israel, with Christian Friends of Israel for three months, from October 15, 2025, to January 12, 2026. Read all about it! Steve & Laurie - Time Coming for Jerusalem Volunteers We certainly are grateful for your support, as it costs us to send these messages each week. Contributions are welcome online by clicking here on our webpage: DONATE HERE. Are you new to these messages, or has another shared them with you? Sign up here to receive it directly. Go here and click on the coffee mug! Sign Up for Steve Martin's Messages Love For His People Ministry 12120 Woodside Falls Rd. Pineville, North Carolina, USA
Message #7 in my new series (2025): "Call It What It Is" July 10, 2025 | 
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