Romans 7
June 1, 2022
“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!” (v21-25)
Just because I’m a Christian doesn’t mean the struggle against sin and temptation is over. My sinful nature doesn’t just go away when I put my trust in Christ. It’s still right there with me, trying to keep me from doing the things God wants to do. In other words, the struggle is still real. But the good news is that we struggle now with HOPE, because instead of being in a battle we can’t win (with the law) – we’re now in a battle we can’t lose (because of Christ). Which is what Paul declares at the end of his autobiographical struggle against the sinful nature – when he cries out: “What a wretched man I am! (Present Tense) Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me (Present Tense) through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (v24-25)
Father, I praise You, because despite my ongoing struggle against the sinful nature, I don’t have to despair – because You promise to deliver me. You promise to never leave me nor forsake me - even when I’m prone to wander. Thank You for both Your saving grace and Your sanctifying grace. In those moments today when I’m tempted to drift into old patterns of thinking, “deliver me” (v25) for Your glory and my good!
Prone to wander, Lord I feel it
Prone to leave the God I love
Here's my heart, oh take and seal it
Seal it for Thy courts above
— Pastor Joshua Brooks
Use the following steps to guide your daily time with the Lord…
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Start with prayer. Ask God to open your heart to help you understand and receive His Word.
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Read and observe the passage carefully. As needed, read a second Bible version to help with understanding.
➡️ What does it say?
What does this passage teach me about God? What does it say about my sinful nature and my need for God’s grace? How does this passage point to Jesus?
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➡️ What am I going to do about it?
Does this passage include a promise to claim, an action/attitude to avoid/embrace, or a principle to apply? How can this truth apply to my life? What could my next step be? How can I share this with others? Is there a verse or section of Scripture I need to memorize?
