OUR FATHER WHOSE SON DELIVERED US FROM CONDEMNATION

The Apostle Paul, in the book of Romans chapter 7 verses 13 - 25 explains that in each of us is a duality whereby our mind serves the law God but our flesh serves the law of sin.

Paul shows us that when a believer finds that they are sinning when they intend to do good, it is not they who are sinning but rather the sin that dwells in us is expressing its contrary nature. This contrary nature compels us to do that we do not wish to do and to fail to do that which we ought to do.

This frission is so distressing that Paul cries out, ˋWretched man that I am - who will deliver me from this body of deathˋ.

He answers his own question by simply stating that it is thanks to God through Jesus Christ that he has any hope because he himself serves the Lord but the flesh serves the law of sin.

13 Has then what is good become death to me? Certainly not! But sin, that it might appear sin, was producing death in me through what is good, so that sin through the commandment might become exceedingly sinful. 14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15 For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. 16 If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. 17 But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. 19 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. 20 Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.

21 I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. 22 For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 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.

Amen.

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