Today, Thursday February 11
Romans 7
I’ll never forget the tremendous emotional experience of becoming a “new creation” in Christ Jesus fifty years ago this month! I walked out of the darkness of sin and death into the marvelous light of life in Christ. The heavy burden and guilt of sin, which was always hanging over me, was totally lifted that day and for the first time in my life I knew I was forgiven of all my sins and I was free! But is wasn’t long before I begin to experience a new battle in my life. I often felt like after I would take three steps forward in my growth as a believer, I would fall backwards five steps. And honestly, I felt very frustrated, not with God, not with others, but with myself. Have you ever felt that way?
Well, when I came across Romans 7, I was somewhat encouraged when I read how that the great Apostle Paul was dealing with the same issues! So here in this chapter, Paul is explaining what it means that we “are not under the law but under grace”. Too many Christians are burdened with religious rules and regulations and good resolutions, not realizing that is it impossible to find holiness through their own efforts.
In Romans 6 we learned of our new “position” before God in Christ, and now we see that we are not expected to obey God in our own strength. The minute we start doing good works in our own strength, we discover that we are failures; and, sad to say, many well-meaning believers stop right there and become spiritual casualties.
We don’t want to quit reading after verse 24, “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of sin and death?” But read on to verse 25, “I thank God-through Jesus Christ our Lord!” With His presence and by His provision of the Holy Spirit, we can have the strength to live the life that pleases the Lord every day.
God bless!
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