Scripture

I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a save to the sin that is still within me.

Observation

There is nothing good in our sinful nature. We want to do what is right, but we can’t do it. Regardless of what we intend, we end up doing the wrong thing.

Paul says he loves God’s law with all his heart, but even so, he is captive to another power at work in him. There seems to be no way out.

But praise God! The answer is in Jesus Christ. He supplies the answer to the dilemma.

Application

As a zealous Pharisee, Paul was passionate about God’s law. Before he came to Christ, he thought that the law of God was the answer to sin.

All christians, including Paul, have been given forgiveness and righteousness from God through Christ.

But still sin has a hold over us. We can let our old sinful nature dominate our lifestyle to the point that people around us cannot see any difference in our lives.

The law cannot fix this problem. No kind of legalism can solve the dilemma. Only surrendering ourselves to Christ will make us truly righteous.

When christians sin in one part of our lives, it is a sign that we not really handed that part of our lives over to Christ. We are still controlled in that area by our sinful nature.

To be set free from sin, we must continually yield our mind, body and soul to God. We are called to be holy to the Lord, set apart for His purposes. That means every part of our lives is to be holy.

It is not my efforts or striving that brings this into being. No, it is the power of God in me.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for setting me free from sin. Please help me to surrender every part of my life over to you to be used for your glory. Amen.