Romans 7:22–23: For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. 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.
The seventh chapter of Romans is a passionate piece of writing. Paul wants us to feel the emotion he experiences in trying to live up to God’s standards in his own strength. A believer who tries to please God in his or her own strength will always come to disheartening, aching frustration—always! Moreover, this will happen to “good Christians”—even super-Christians. Paul was perhaps the greatest Christian ever, and this was his experience. He had more theology and passion in his little finger than most of us have in our entire life. Despite this, he sometimes tried to live up to God’s standards on his own. It would be naive to say that after Paul came to an understanding of how sin defeats us through the Law, he never came under bondage again. I personally believe that with time he came less and less under bondage, but he never came to perfection. 1
Application
- Our personal perfection on earth is impossible to achieve.
- His declaration of our perfection in Christ has already been announced in heaven.
Prayer
Lord, my heart is so grateful for Your never ending love for me, which is never based upon my performance, but upon Your grace.
1. Hughes, R. K. (1991). Romans: righteousness from heaven. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.
