Pastor Barry's  "Chapter & Verse"  Day 347

December 12;   Romans 7:25;   124/260(II);   ‘The Conflict’

Romans 7:25 I thank God — through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.

 

The Word of God is so enlightening.  The great Apostle Paul, proving he is human, teaches us that there is and always will be a conflict that rages inside of us.  That conflict is our desire to do right and the carnal nature of our flesh that desires to sin.  This is in no way teaching that we cannot live a holy life.  What these verses (verses 14-24) teach is that the Old Testament Law has no power to deliver us from sin.  The Law can enlighten our conscience, but it is powerless to produce holiness in our lives.  The Law is spiritual, in that it teaches what the Lord wants us to do and what He does not want us to do.  The law of sin in our flesh is constantly at war with the Law.  Though we desire to do what the Law says we should do, the Law has no ability to help us live in the manner it tells us to.  Paul tells us the answer to this life long dilemma, Jesus Christ.

When we become a Christian, the Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit removes our pride hardened spirit and replaces it with a spirit alive unto the Lord, full of His love.  The Holy Spirit comes to live in our spirit and will help us if we let Him.  We are given the right standing with God the Father Jesus had when we become Born Again.  There is no condemnation to depress us and make us think we cannot live right, so why even try.  As we sincerely desire to live a holy life, as we read the Word, pray, earnestly desiring fellowship with the Lord, the Holy Spirit helps us to overcome the desires of the flesh.  The carnal nature is still there enticing us to sin, but falling in love with Jesus and living right by choice will enable us to live in the holy manner we desire.