Tag: Romans 7:24-25
The war between the flesh and the Spirit!
Scripture reading for June 1st: 1st Kings 2, 1st Chronicles 29, Romans 7
Romans 7:15-20 “For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. No if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, within my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells withing me.”
Paul was a strict Jewish Pharisee, living under God’s law. The law was spiritual and Paul was of the flesh before he encountered Jesus Christ. He struggled to understand his own actions for he desperately wanted to obey the law and please God, but found himself instead doing that which the law forbade. He is now a follower of Christ and understands this war. It is his old sin nature that was crucified with Christ that he now must count as dead to sin. He must now count himself alive to God in Christ through identification with Christ’s resurrection. The grace coming through Christ enabled Paul and us to overcome the passions of sinful flesh that once enslaved us. Thanks be to God He has delivered us!
Romans 7:24-25 “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for delivering me from the war between the flesh and the Spirit by filling me with Your Holy Spirit and giving me grace through Jesus Christ my Lord. Through the Spirit I now have ability to live free from the sin nature and be alive to God forever more. I offer myself to be used to share this Good News with all who still battle their sin nature. There is victory through the Lord Jesus!
1st Chronicles 29:19 “Grant to Solomon my son a whole heart that he may keep Your commandments, Your testimonies, and Your statutes, performing all, and that he may build the palace for which I have made provision.”