The Struggle With Sin & Salvation Through Christ Jesus - Bliss & Fire Network Weekly Digest - Success Scripture October 13, 2009

The Struggle With Sin & Salvation Through Christ Jesus

"For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:" - Romans 7:18-22 (Read Romans 7:7-25)

EXPLORATION

Laws are made to regulate the behaviors of people so that peace, order, and security are maintained in society. They are for the good of law-abiding citizens but for the discipline or punishment of the lawless. Without the law, a criminal may not know that he is a criminal. In the same breath, the law of God is given to let the evil doer know his wickedness and that he stands guilty and condemned before God.

"Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?" - James 4:5

INSPIRATION

As Paul wrote to the Romans, he asked the question: "What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet..." - Romans 7:7-11

He also tells us that the Law of God is SPIRITUAL, HOLY, JUST and GOOD (Romans 7:12). That means you can not accomplish it by your own strength.

The law like I mention above is for the good of the law-abiding citizen, and makes the offender know his sin and the consequent punishment. But the knowledge of the law does not free a person from wrong doings. It rather brings guilt to bear on him and renders him hopeless and helpless. You may ask how? The word of God says: "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all" - James 2:10. Now let us be honest with ourselves as we answer this question. Has any person by his or her will-power been able to keep the laws of God even when he knows them? Of course not!

By God's own standard, anyone who wants to be justified before Him by keeping the law must keep the whole law. If he offends in one, then he is GUILITY of all. Personal effort in keeping the law is not possible. The narration of Paul's personal experience says it all:

"For I fail to practice the good deeds I desire to do, but the evil deeds that I do not desire to do are what I am [ever] doing. Now if I do what I do not desire to do, it is no longer I doing it [it is not myself that acts], but the sin [principle] which dwells within me [fixed and operating in my soul]. So I find it to be a law (rule of action of my being) that when I want to do what is right and good, evil is ever present with me and I am subject to its insistent demands. For I endorse and delight in the Law of God in my inmost self [with my new nature]. But I discern in my bodily members in the sensitive appetites and wills of the flesh] a different law (rule of action) at war against the law of my mind (my reason) and making me a prisoner to the law of sin that dwells in my bodily organs [in the sensitive appetites and wills of the flesh]." - Romans 7:19-23

Indeed, this is a classic illustration of the continual struggle and travail of a person who has knowledge of the law of God and tries to keep it by personal effort. The Bible says: "For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would." - Galatians 5:17 (Read also John 6:63).

The result of such a struggle with sin is hopelessness, misery, and unhappiness. Paul lamented and said: "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" - Romans 7:24

This week: It is expedient to know that the law of God is SPIRITUAL and it takes the enabling power of the SPIRIT of GOD in man to help him obey the law of God which is spiritual. The Bible says: "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh." - Galatians 5:16

This is why everybody needs JESUS CHRIST as Lord and Savor (Helper), and it makes sense. For the Bible says: "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:" - John 1:12. And God says: "And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them." - Ezekiel 36:27 (John 7: 37-38)

Finally: "But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." - 1 Corinthians 15:57

"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death." - Romans 8:2

Remember the Bible says: "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief." - 1Timothy 1:15

We are praying for you,

It's our JOY to see you blessed!

Pastor Wales

Bliss & Fire Network Team.

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