14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. 15 For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. 17 So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.
21 So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. 22 For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, 23 but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.
Who will deliver us from this body of death indeed? The question is already answered in Jesus Christ. But for today let us think of the desires of our sinful flesh verses the desires of our regenerate will. There is truly a war being waged within our flesh.
Christians read the bible and desire to follow its instruction. They desire it to motivate their actions and their life. Some may only read it for some kind of answer for success or wealth. Others may only read the scriptures in search for justification of their actions. But the Law is written not to justify, but to condemn and instruct. The Law teaches us to live out our lives in accordance with the desires of God.
As fallen creatures, even as fallen Saints, we still find ourselves doing things that are not in accordance with the will of God. We often find ourselves like St Paul. We desire to do what is holy and right, but often times our sinful nature gets in the way. St Paul says it best when he writes we are captive to the law of sin. Sin rules in our lives, and we have become slaves to it.
Who will deliver us from this body of death? Jesus Christ is our redeemer. If you are searching for justification for your actions there are none. But if you are looking for justification before God, there is Jesus. Jesus Christ has removed these sins from you. He has fulfilled the Law on your behalf. This does not remove the Law from our lives, but it gives us a regenerated will and desire to follow the Law.
The Holy Spirit works death through the Law, and Life through Jesus Christ's death and Resurrection. The Holy Spirit also guides us through the Law on how we should act, as redeemed people of God. This helps us to fight our sinful flesh, but our sinful flesh is only defeated in death. Fight the Good Fight and Run the race, for God is with you.
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