Did that which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, producing death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure. For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin. [ESV]
Although one of the more confusing passages to run through in the course of studying Romans, but it was certainly heartening to hear that pastor, like the rest of us, like Paul, also have to struggle with sin whilst in this world, even though we're no longer under it's mastery and power. On the other hand at the same time, it's sad to realise that at some times I have compromised and simply given up fighting sin in some areas of my life....
Well, on being reminded of this again, it's no time to mope about the past but rather to look forward, pick up the rifle (not literally lah) again, and carry on with what's important: carrying on as a disciple of Christ, and to help others on their journey also. =)
(Who said that Christians never fight? Heh heh)
No comments:
Post a Comment