Romans Ch 7 vv 14-25

          This is so true of us. We have said yes to Jesus and no to our old, sinful life and yet we still think, say and do things that are utterly sinful. When Paul says that there is nothing good in our old, sinful lives, he isn’t saying that unbelievers can’t make great sacrifices and show a great deal of good deeds. What he means is that there is nothing in the old, sinful nature that can really please God, because sin has found its way into them all, one way or another.

          When Paul speaks of “law” in vv 21 and 23 he is referring to a principle at work in his life. It makes him feel absolutely wretched. This is why it is wrong for preachers to say that all our troubles will disappear if we come to faith in Jesus. In a very real sense they only begin then. It is only the Christian who can experience this bitter, internal battle. Paul cries out for deliverance and he thanks God that he can know victory over this powerful, sinful element within him through Jesus’ saving power. The question for us is this: can we say with Paul we are willing slaves to God’s law even though the remains of the sinful nature are still keenly felt in our lives?