Today’s Theme for Prayer – Jesus Desires to Save Me
How Do I Allow Jesus to Act Freely in Me?
Rom 7:11-24
What then can we say? That the law is sin? Of course not! Yet I did not know sin except through the law, and I did not know what it is to covet except that the law said, “You shall not covet.” But sin, finding an opportunity in the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetousness. Apart from the law sin is dead. I once lived outside the law, but when the commandment came, sin became alive; then I died, and the commandment that was for life turned out to be death for me. For sin, seizing an opportunity in the commandment, deceived me and through it put me to death. So then the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good. Did the good, then, become death for me? Of course not! Sin, in order that it might be shown to be sin, worked death in me through the good, so that sin might become sinful beyond measure through the commandment. We know that the law is spiritual; but I am carnal, sold into slavery to sin. What I do, I do not understand. For I do not do what I want, but I do what I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I concur that the law is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 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. For I do not do the good I want, but I do the evil I do not want. Now if [I] do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. So, then, I discover the principle that when I want to do right, evil is at hand. For I take delight in the law of God, in my inner self, l but I see in my members another principle at war with the law of my mind, taking me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Miserable one that I am! Who will deliver me from this mortal body?
Grace Prayed For
Honest Self-Examination: Pray for the grace to honestly assess your own inner struggles with sin. Ask for the courage to face your weaknesses and acknowledge the areas where you fall short of God’s ideal.
The Paradox of the Law
This passage from Romans is a raw and honest exploration of the inner struggle between our desire for good and the reality of sin that clings to us. It’s a cry of the heart, a confession of weakness, and ultimately, a testament to the power of grace.
Paul begins with a question: “What then can we say? That the law is sin?” He immediately dismisses this notion, affirming the holiness and goodness of God’s law. Yet, he acknowledges a paradox: the law, meant to guide us towards righteousness, also exposes our sinfulness.
“I did not know sin except through the law.” The law acts as a mirror, reflecting our inner brokenness. It reveals our shortcomings and awakens within us desires that we didn’t even know existed.
“But sin, finding an opportunity in the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetousness.” This is a profound insight into the nature of sin. It takes advantage of the law, twisting our desires and leading us astray.
Paul describes a battle raging within him: “For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want.” This resonates with our own experience. We long to do what is right, but often find ourselves falling short.
“So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.” He recognizes that sin has a grip on him, influencing his thoughts and actions. This isn’t an excuse, but an honest acknowledgment of the reality of sin’s power.
“Miserable one that I am! Who will deliver me from this mortal body?” This cry of despair reveals the depth of Paul’s struggle. He feels trapped, bound by the sin that resides within him.
Yet, within this struggle lies a profound truth: our need for a Savior. Paul’s agonizing confession points us to the hope found in Jesus Christ. It is Christ who delivers us from the power of sin and death, offering us freedom and new life.
This passage invites us to embrace our own brokenness and acknowledge our need for grace. It reminds us that we are not alone in our struggle against sin.
As you reflect on these words, consider:
- Where do you experience this inner conflict in your own life?
- How does the law reveal your own sinfulness?
- How does this passage deepen your appreciation for the grace and freedom offered in Christ?
This passage, though filled with anguish, ultimately points us towards hope. It reminds us that even in our weakness, God’s grace is sufficient. It is through Christ that we find deliverance from the bondage of sin and experience the true freedom that comes from living in His love.
Growing in Intimacy with Jesus
Honest Confession: Paul’s raw and vulnerable confession of his own struggle with sin highlights our own need for a Savior. It dismantles any pretense of self-sufficiency and allows us to approach Jesus with authenticity and dependence.
When Time Allows Reflect on the Posts in Library and Musings
Sharing
Jesus last words on Earth were to his disciples, can be found in Matthew Chap 28 when Jesus told his disciples, “Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
Jesus calls all of us to share in his redemptive mission here on Earth. I would ask you to share this Scripture reflection with your family, your friends and your acquaintances, and then share it with a couple of individuals that you may may not be comfortable sharing with, keeping in mind always the words of Jesus, And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age
Author was assisted by AI in the drafting of this Post