Paul has shown that the law, though good, reveals our sin nature, stirring a desire to rebel. Within us is a longing to do good, yet our flesh harbors no good thing, leading us to do the evil we do not wish to do. Paul identifies this struggle:
“When I want to do what is good, evil is present with me.”
Though we may delight in God’s law and desire to do right, we often yield to our flesh, falling into sin. Paul describes a war between the flesh and the mind, a battle that feels hopeless. In anguish, he cries out:
“What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?”
This struggle resonates with us all. We too wrestle with our flesh, sometimes becoming enslaved to sin despite our desire to please God. Temptations and weaknesses can leave us feeling helpless. How can we overcome this battle we cannot win alone?
Romans 7:25a (NIV)
“Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!”
Our sin nature, bound to our flesh, wages war against our desire to follow Christ. Yet, we are not without hope. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus has conquered sin and death. We are no longer slaves to our flesh but can live for Him who died for us (Ephesians 2:8-9). Though the battle rages until we receive our resurrected bodies, surrender to Jesus brings victory. Am I daily surrendering to Christ, trusting in His power to overcome my sin? Let us give thanks for His deliverance, rely on His Spirit to lead us, and live victoriously for Him, proclaiming the triumph of His grace over sin.
