[aron]

I, too, had the idea that perhaps when Paul wrote in Romans seven about "The things that I don't want to do, I still do" he wasn't speaking hypothetically, but from real experience. Perhaps.

The alternative would be that Paul, post-conversion, never struggled with the issue of sin. Which I argue WL wanted us to believe, because WL supposedly "inherited the mantle of Paul" as holding the so-called ministry of the age, and thus also was de facto without error, or sin.

I suspect that Paul was probably like the rest of us, a person like Peter whose failures, even post-resurrection, were amply documented. But either way it isn't critical.

On the other side, about grace, I remember singing Psalm 136, and it kept saying over and over again, that the sure mercies of God endured forever. At some point it hit me: no matter how stubborn the sin might cling to me, even more stubborn was the endurance of God's love. God's mercy really does endure forever.

That, to me, was a moment of grace. No matter how big and tough the sin which confronts me in the world, in my soul, in my flesh, so much bigger and tougher and stronger is the love of God, the saving love of God in Jesus Christ. This love endures forever. Suddenly, instead of being confronted by the accusation of my failure, I was confronted with the revelation of God's eternal love. What a moment of grace that was!

WL of course made fun of Psalm 136, and mocked the saints who were 'enjoying' it... It was too "low" for him. As usual, I think he completely missed the boat.

Peter failed, but Jesus' prayer for Peter did not fail (Luke 22:32). We have such a high priest interceding for us (Heb 4:14 - 10:18). Who would not be encouraged to try and obey, when they see such a one standing in the breech on their behalf! Should we not struggle to strengthen our feeble flesh and follow (Heb 12)?