The Thursday after the Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany of our Lord
Posted on February 6, 2025 by under
Scripture: Romans 7:14-25 (NKJV)
7:14 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.
Devotion
How many times have you heard the expression “Nobody’s perfect!” It’s usually said in reference to mistakes, willing or otherwise. It’s meant to buffer criticism or excuse behavior. Although there are times when using the phrase is appropriate, we dare not use it to shield our sin. In today’s text, St. Paul openly confesses his struggles against sin. He realizes his guilt, not only by the evil he does (sins of commission), but also by not doing the good he knows he should (sins of omission). Even though he’s now a Christian, his life is still often governed by the Old Adam that fuels sins of thought, word, and deed.
Original sin, which dwells in each of us, will not go away this side of eternity. Satan knows this all too well as he exploits our inbred weakness. Although we often cave into sin, we should despise such behavior and realize God will not be appeased with the excuse “Nobody’s perfect.” “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts” (Is. 6:3).
But we who are far from perfect are saved by the One who is. Through faith in Jesus’ work of redemption, we are forgiven children of God. In His mercy, God gives us that faith through His Means of Grace. By the new man established within us, we are not only granted forgiveness, but empowered to fight and defeat the wiles of Satan.
Collect: Almighty God, Who knowest us to be set in the midst of so many and great dangers, that by reason of the frailty of our nature we cannot always stand upright: Grant to us such strength and protection as may support us in all dangers, and carry us through all temptations; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
