scripture
14 So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. 15 I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.
21 I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. 22 I love God’s law with all my heart. 23 But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. 24 Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? 25 Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.
observation
The apostle seems like he has it all together since he lived so fully for God and yet here Paul explains to us how much that he struggles with the old sinful nature. We are a child of God and we have the desire and the ability to do the right thing but there is always going to be a struggle with our evil desires that keep fighting to control us and attempt to keep us in slavery. This temporary assignment on planet earth is going to have its difficulties just because it is so full of sinners and as a Christ follower it will be even more difficult as you strive to live against the natural tendency to live for your sinful self. All the desires that I had before I came to Christ and followed him are still there I will never be able to say that I have arrived until I arrive in God’s presence in heaven. I cannot give into sin and continue to live for self. I am able to “produce a harvest of good deeds for God.”
application
I will fight the good fight so that my Savior will be able to say well done.
prayer
Help me to continue to fight against my sinful nature and to truly live for you. I know how I should live but sometimes I fail. Thank you for covering my sin.
