Let’s talk about sin! The internal battle we deal with from the moment we are born, until the realization of Christ, and what HE did on the Cross.
Turn with me to Romans 7:13-25
Paul was very familiar with this internal battle, trying to do good, but could not… Striving for the best, but fell short. Verse 13 starts off right away with the condition of war inside each of us.
Paul continues verse 14 by stating, very boldly, that “Yes, we have been sold into slavery, a slavery called sin, which under the law, defeats us.” He recalls the wounds started from way back in time, in the Fall with Adam and Eve. From birth into this world, we are put under a bondage, a bondage we have no control over, a bondage that sets us up for the need for a Redeemer.
Romans 7:15
“What I do, I do not understand. For I do not do what I want, but what I hate.”
The emphasis again, is on the bondage we are under. All sin contributes the same bondage to our souls. It does not allow us to do good, no matter how hard we try. That is why Paul says in Ephesians 2:8-9, that we are not justified by our works! It is literally impossible to be a changed man under your own fleshly works!
There is no proper explanation of this spiritual pull until you understand that you are under the slavery of sin. There is no good in you naturally. Again, we are set up perfectly for the need of a Savior.
Continue with me to verse 18:
“For I know that good does not dwell in me, that is, in my flesh. The willing is ready at hand, but doing the good is not.”
Paul further explains this internal struggle. The flesh vs. the Spirit: both are strong forces but the light has overcome the darkness (John 1:5)
Romans 7:19
“For I do not do the good I want, but I do the evil I do not want.”
This leaves the gap in our souls. The emptiness, the longing, the desire that cannot be fulfilled. The gap can only be filled by Jesus. We try to fill it with everything but Him! It also opens the door to self-rejection and a loss of Identity. That is why our new identity has to be found in Christ Jesus.
“It is not I who live, but Christ who lives in me” – Galatians 2:20
After we come to the point of being sick and tired of being sick and tired, we look for answers. We want to close this gap… frankly, we need it to be closed! Remember, Matthew 7:7, Ask, seek, and knock, and you will find.” The Lord knows the conditions of our hearts!
Romans 7:21 – Paul continues to describe the struggle, that even when we do decide we want to do good, there is evil at hand! Whether that come from temptation, distractions, or diversions, the devil is a lion, waiting to seek prey on whoever he can devour! (1 Peter 5:8-9; Ephesians 4:26-27)
Verse 24, Paul finally cries out:
“Miserable one that I am! Who will deliver me from this mortal body?”
There is one answer, one conclusion of this chapter in verse 25:
“Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” PERIOD!
Now, lets continue with Romans 8, as a continuation of Roman 7.
Romans 8:1
“Hence, now there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
He completely takes out the thought of bringing the slavery of sin down on us. Yes, he has identified the issue at hand, but immediately states, “If you’ve asked Jesus into your heart, you have no condemnation.” Any condemnation is a trick on your mind, and from the devil.
Verse 2:
“For the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus has freed you from the law of sin and death.”
Amen, We have been set free! It’s already been done! It’s a matter of fact!
Continue with me tomorrow as we delve in Romans 8, the explanation of our freedom, and our Identity in Jesus Christ.
May God bless you and keep you,
CBM
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