Law of God | June 17
For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin.
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.
If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good.
But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.
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.
For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice.
Romans 7:14-19
Father, we are reminded that You appointed Paul to be a minister to the Gentiles. He was a Jew and a friend of Jews but found that the Jews largely rejected Jesus as Savior. Paul knew the law having been a student of Gamaliel, the great Jewish scholar. Father, You have taught us that it was Paul’s strong belief, before his encounter with Jesus, that it was possible and proper to adhere to the law.
Father, here Paul is teaching us that there is a great struggle going on in the heart of man. Man knows that what is right and true yet he does things that are clearly wrong, as judged by the law. We know that Jesus is the answer to the struggle. It is His Spirit in us that enables us to bring our hopes to action.
Father, we know that adherence to the law is good and we know that we can not do so without Your power in us. Thank You for cleansing us of our past sins, by the redeeming love of Jesus, for us, and help us, this day, to know that You would have us sin no more. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.
Bruce Caldwell
The Sola Scriptura Project
