Today we look at Romans 7.  It is a famous chapter in the Bible where Paul talks about his struggle with wrestling between his desire to follow God and his sinful nature.  I want to focus on the end of chapter 7 and the very beginning of chapter 8 which I have included as well.  Let’s take a moment to look at them together today.

21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!  Chapter 8 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.

The realization that Paul comes to is that we can never win this battle through our own strength.  When he asks who will rescue him he knows the answer, it is only Jesus.  Jesus did for us what we were powerless to do on our own.  He rescues us.  He redeems us.  He reconciles us to the Father.  Only Jesus is capable of defeating sin and giving us life anew.  As we approach this coming Easter I pray that we would all reflect on the amazing work of Jesus in our lives.  Jesus offers us a life different from the life that this world pursues.  He offers us a kingdom life, a life built around love for God and others.  A life of putting others before yourself.  I pray that we might embrace this life that is offered to us and get off the hamster wheel that this world gives us.

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave