Romans 7:21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me.
Commentary helped me to make sense of this section and it ties quite closely to yesterday’s reflection. It is because of the law that we recognize what we should not do, but our fleshy humanity lacks the strength to save ourselves. We need a Savior, Jesus, to save us from the evil we know we should not do. Recognizing that we cannot save ourselves is a crucial step.
Romans 7:22-23 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 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.
I know I should not crave validation from others. I know I should not be prideful or boastful, angry or arrogant. And yet, as much as I want to not do these things, I’m in the middle of them before I know it. And I know *I* can’t stop. I can only turn to Jesus for help and keep trying. And that’s the right move. Acknowledging my helplessness, turning to my Savior, and continuing to try.
Romans 7:24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?
Precious Savior, Thank You for understanding that I cannot save myself. Thank You for helping me understand the same. Thank You for the power of admitting my weakness, the power of turning the situation over to You, the power in continuing to try again. Amen.
Romans 7:25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.
Have a blessed day.