The Frailty of Our Nature

Collect 4th Sunday After Epiphany: O GOD, who knowest us to be set in the midst of so many and great dangers, that by reason of the frailty of our nature we cannot always stand upright; Grant to us such strength and protection, as may support us in all dangers, and carry us through all temptations; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

We cannot always stand upright. That's because our human nature is frail (Mark 14:38).  We are new creatures but the old nature is still there. This is why we pray for God to grant us the grace to stand. Without that grace we cannot and in fact will ...not stand. We have a choice in the matter but without that definite grace given we will not stand. In other words if we stand it is because God gave us grace to stand in that situation. If we fail, it is because God withheld His grace and allowed us to act in accordance with our own sinful and fallen nature. Why would God do such a thing? Because He is God. The moment we get prideful that we keep ourselves look out. It is then that God may withhold His keeping power and grace to humble us and remind us that it is God who saves, keeps and delivers us through it all! (2 Timothy 1:12; Jude 1:24-25).

--

Reasonable Christian Blog Glory be to the Father, and to the Son : and to the Holy Ghost; Answer. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be : world without end. Amen. 1662 Book of Common Prayer