Thursday after the Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany of our Lord
Posted on February 3, 2022 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
Paul sees that nothing good dwells in him. The inner man, the new man of faith created by the Holy Spirit, delights in God’s Law. But he sees the law of sin at work in his heart and mind. His sinful flesh daily tempts him with wicked lusts, wicked impulses, and sinful desires. He sees how his sinful flesh impedes the good works he truly wishes to do. He doesn’t minimize it and say, “These are only internal thoughts and desires.” He doesn’t rationalize them and say, “Everybody’s a sinner, so these aren’t a big deal.” Nor does he justify himself and say, “At least I’m not acting on these wicked lusts.” He says, “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?”
Paul teaches us how to repent of the sinful flesh’s impulses, desires, and lusts. We should lament that our flesh is so fallen and contrary to God’s Law. The faithful man flees to Jesus. “I thank God–through Jesus Christ our Lord!” He has sin in his flesh, but trusting Christ’s mercy and the Holy Spirit’s power in him he fights against it and strives to serve God all the more. If we do consent to the flesh’s lusts, we acknowledge our wretchedness and flee to Chris for forgiveness and newness of life, so that we may delight in His Law once again.
Prayer: 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, 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.
