Passage
Consequently, I find this law: by the thing in me that
desires to do the good, that the evil is at hand by me. For I delight in the Law of God according to
my inner being. But I recognize another
law in my members while making war with the law of my mind and while making me
captive in the law of sin that is in my members. I am a wretched man! Who will rescue me from this body of
death? But thanks be to God through our
Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore,
consequently, I myself on one hand am enslaved to the Law of God by my mind but
on the other hand am enslaved to the Law of sin by my flesh.
Thoughts for Today
First Thought:
Paul recognizes that even when we desire something good,
evil is always close at hand. Even when I
set out to accomplish God’s will, it is so easy to become focused upon my
glory, my righteousness, and my benefit.
It is so easy to start out in the right direction only to find that I’ve
manipulated good things to my own selfish benefit.
Why is it so easy for us to make everything about
ourselves? Why is it easy for us to
corrupt good things?
Second Thought:
Paul then says that there is a war within us. We may delight in God in our hearts. Yet our flesh delights in its own
benefit. This is war at its best. Even when we delight in the will of God we
find our bodies are still captive to sin.
This is our natural state. We are
caught between the God who calls us into righteousness and the sin that would
like to anchor us here in this world.
Where do you feel the most caught between sin and the
God? How does it make you feel to again
be reminded that we are at war within our flesh?
Third Thought:
Thanks be to God that He sent Jesus Christ to us! Christ is the answer. He is the conquering king. He has overcome death for us. He has overcome sin for us. While we may be in the war zone, we know that
those who are in Christ will ultimately see sin die within them. We will be raised into a newness of
life. Thanks be to God.
How can this passage help you appreciate what God has done
for you? How can these verses fill you
with the desire to worship the almighty God?
Passage for Tomorrow: Romans 8:1-4
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