June 2, 2015

“Thanks Be To God…”

Blessings folk!

Paul has been describing the struggle between the flesh and the desire to do good.
He is speaking from experience.

One would nearly think that the situation is hopeless...especially if the “rest of the story” is not noted.

Rom 7:22-24
For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man,
but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members.
Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?

Paul describes himself as a wretched man.

There is debate as to what is meant.

Was Paul speaking of himself before he was saved?
When he was dependent upon the Law for “righteousness”?
Perhaps.
This is definitely a picture of life under the Law.

Was Paul speaking of himself after salvation?
Was he revealing that, though we are redeemed and new creatures, we are still in the shell of the flesh? The sin of flesh will tempt.
Likely.

Paul cried out “who will set me free from the body of this death?”

The next verse is the answer.

Rom 7:25
Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin.

Jesus Christ our Lord...therefore Paul is speaking from the perspective of one saved… has set us free.

Paul acknowledges that on the one hand his mind is serving the Law of God. We “keep the law” through the Lord Jesus.

But, on the other hand, his flesh seeks to keep the law of sin.

Paul gives thanks to God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Why?

Because it is only through the Lord Jesus Christ that we are reconciled to God.
It is only through Jesus Christ that we can live and serve God while in the flesh.

Today…
Die to the flesh
Give thanks to God.