Romans 7 - 11.20.23
Scripture
Romans 7:21-25a NIV
“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!“
Observation-What does it say?
Here is a breakdown of this chapter based on Matthew Henry’s commentary on Christianity.com
Believers are united to Christ in order to produce fruit for God (vss.1-6).
The use and excellence of the law (vss. 7-13).
The spiritual conflicts between corruption and grace on a believer (vss. 14-25).
Basically, we cannot deliver ourselves from our sin nature! Only Jesus Christ can redeem and deliver us from sin. We are completely dependent on Christ for deliverance from sin.
Application-How can this apply to my life?
Admit our need and complete dependency on Christ for salvation and deliverance from sin. Point others to Christ not with our good works (which are filthy rags-Isaiah 64:6), but rather the work He did on the Cross for me and you.
Also, I want to point out that this chapter shows that it is possible to leave a life of sin behind, not to continue in it. We cannot use Paul’s words as an excuse to sin. Paul mentioned back in Romans 3:31, “Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.” Although we still get tempted and will never reach perfection until we get our glorified bodies in heaven, sin no longer has mastery over us if we are in Christ. When we admit defeat (in our flesh) and wholly surrender to Him and His will, we find deliverance.
Prayer
Dear Lord,
Thank you for delivering me from my bondage to sin. Thank you that I no longer have to be a slave to it! You are worth more than the momentary pleasures that sin has to offer and I definitely don’t desire its consequences. I confess that I am powerless to defeat it without You. When tempted, help me Holy Spirit to put up boundaries, flee and take refuge in You alone. Amen.
-Michelle Gaddi