A Slave To God’s Law

We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!

So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.

Romans 7:14-25

Paul reacted to the issue relative to the nature of sin.

The apostle admits to now knowing why he does things he knows he shouldn’t do and doesn’t want to do. Affirming Scripture determines right from wrong, he acknowledges the real, complex war constantly waging between the flesh and the spirit in the struggle against sin. Confessing his own weaknesses, he offers hope for victory now and forever.

When we surrender our lives to Christ, He gives us His Holy Spirit who empowers us to choose to do right. As He enables us to obey God’s Word, we can avoid the searing sin that separates us from the abundant life God promises those who love Him.

The Holy Spirit transforms us through His love and by His grace.

Our Daily Bread – October 19, 2017