Document: /pub/resources/text/Our.Daily.Bread: db940521.TXT
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OUR DAILY BREAD                             Saturday, May 21
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READ:  Romans 7:7-13 


                        "FORBIDDEN FRUIT"

               The sinful passions which were aroused
              by the law were at work in our members to
                         bear fruit to death.

                             - Romans 7:5

In Galveston, Texas, a hotel on the shore of the Gulf of Mexico put this
notice in each room:

No Fishing From The Balcony

Yet every day, hotel guests threw in their lines to the waters below. Then
the management decided to take down the signs -- and the fishing stopped!

In his Confessions, Augustine (354-430), the well-known theologian,
reflected on this attraction to the forbidden. He wrote, "There was a pear
tree near our vineyard, laden with fruit. One stormy night we rascally
youths set out to rob it ... We took off a huge load of pears -- not to
feast upon ourselves, but to throw them to the pigs, though we ate just
enough to have the pleasure of the forbidden fruit. They were nice pears,
but it was not the pears that my wretched soul coveted, for I had plenty
better at home. I picked them simply to become a thief ... The desire to
steal was awakened simply by the prohibition of stealing." 

Romans 7 sets forth the truth illustrated by Augustine's experience: Human
nature is inherently rebellious. Give us a law and we will see it as a
challenge to break it. Jesus, however, forgives our lawbreaking and gives
us the Holy Spirit. He imparts a new desire and ability so that our
greatest pleasure becomes bringing pleasure to God.     -HWR

                     Why do we keep on trying
                    The far of this world's sin
                     When God has set before us
                      The joy of Christ within?    -JDB 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Forbidden fruit tastes sweet
but has bitter consequences.


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Our Daily Bread, Copyright 1994, used by permission of Radio
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