The apostle Paul wrote a large portion of the books of the New Testament. I hold him in high regard and, obviously, God did too. One of the things I admire about him is how humble and truthful he was about his sin and struggles. Most of you know his conversion story from Saul, persecutor of Christians, to Paul, an apostle that converted many to Christ. Please take the time to read the 7th and 8th chapters of Romans. There are many translations, but my personal favorite is the New Living Translation (NLT). I also enjoy The Passion Translation (TPT). A lot of you old-timers prefer the King James Version (KJV) or New King James Version (NKJV). All are great and I study from each of them. I’m going to cherry-pick from portions of the 7th & 8th chapters of The Passion Translation (TPT). Again… please read those chapters from your favorite translation (or the whole book of Romans)!
Paul, speaking of the law of Moses (think 10 Commandments) said in chapter 7:14-20, “For we know that the law is divinely inspired and comes from the spiritual realm, but I am a human being made of flesh and trafficked as a slave under sin’s authority. I’m a mystery to myself, for I want to do what is right, but end up doing what my moral instincts condemn. And now I realize that it is no longer my true self doing it, but the unwelcome intruder of sin in my humanity. For I know that nothing good lives within the flesh of my fallen humanity. The longings to do what is right are within me, but willpower is not enough to accomplish it. My lofty desires to do what is good are dashed when I do the things I want to avoid. So if my behavior contradicts my desires to do good, I must conclude that it’s not my true identity doing it, but the unwelcome intruder of sin hindering me from being who I really am.”
He goes on to say in chapter 7:24-25 and chapter 8:1, “What an agonizing situation I am in! So who has the power to rescue this miserable man from the unwelcome intruder of sin and death? I give all my thanks to God, for his mighty power has finally provided a way out through our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One! So if left to myself, the flesh is aligned with the law of sin, but now my renewed mind is fixed on and submitted to God’s righteous principles. So now the case is closed. There remains no accusing voice of condemnation against those who are joined in life-union with Jesus, the Anointed One.”
Can you relate to Paul’s struggle with sin and humanity? I certainly do! Do you understand that the only answer is through Jesus, God’s one and only Son. Fix your eyes on him and submit to him. Let your mind be renewed by your life in him. You will sin, but he is there to cleanse you and restore you. He is faithful and just to forgive you of all your sins. Live your life for him and serve him alone.
Romans 7:15 (NLT) - 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.