Wretched Man That I Am!

“So, I find the law that when I want to do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God in my inner being. But I see a different law in my members waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that is in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue 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.” Romans 7:21-25 NET

A profound and relentless battle is being waged in our world—a war for humanity’s souls. This struggle is far more than just physical conflict; it penetrates the depths of our beliefs and convictions, demanding that we make a critical choice: to place our unwavering faith in the surrender of our flesh or rely on our flawed efforts to carve out our righteousness before God.

We often perceive sin through a simplistic lens, primarily as blatant wrongdoing directed at others or clear-cut acts of disobedience toward God’s commands. However, this narrow view fails to capture the full spectrum of sin’s insidious nature. Instead of always being loud and obvious, sin can quietly infiltrate our hearts, taking root in the shadows. It may emerge as a subtle wave of defiance that resists the call for total surrender, or as a persistent urge to seize control of our destinies, pushing us to leap ahead of God’s perfect timing and divine promises.

For instance, consider how jealousy can quietly breed discontent, distorting our perceptions and driving wedges between once-close relationships. Alternatively, ambition can transform into an all-consuming force, leading us to prioritize personal achievements over spiritual guidance, often at the expense of what truly matters. This heightened awareness of sin’s complexity invites us to embark on a deeper journey of self-examination, challenging us to confront the hidden barriers that obstruct our path to genuine faith and surrender to God’s will.

Recognizing these subtleties empowers us to align ourselves with a higher purpose, ultimately guiding us toward a more profound and transformative relationship with the divine. In this great war for our minds and hearts, we are called to seek clarity and strength, embracing the struggle as an opportunity for spiritual growth and renewal.

Sin is not merely an attack against us as individuals; it is a formidable and unyielding assault on the sacred law of the Spirit that governs our hearts and minds. This conflict manifests as an ongoing, fierce battle that rages within us, unsettling our very core. The Apostle Paul powerfully illustrates this inner turmoil, vividly depicting how sin infiltrates every facet of our existence—our hands that act, our feet that walk, our minds that think, and our imaginations that dream. Sin cunningly seeks to exploit these elements of our physical being, coaxing us into defiance against the living God and depriving us of the profound joy that flows from wholehearted obedience to His divine will.

This is the insidious nature of sin: a relentless adversary determined to corrupt our devotion and disrupt our intimate relationship with God. Sin’s ultimate aim is to usurp the honor and glory that are rightfully God’s by leading us away from the righteousness of God. In doing so, sin creates a widening chasm between us and the deep fulfillment that arises from living in harmony with God’s purpose. The struggle against sin is not merely a personal battle; it is a cosmic war for our allegiance, inviting us to choose whether we will uphold the honor of our Creator or succumb to the subtle, deceitful allure of rebellion.

I have continuously emphasized a vital truth that deserves our full attention: we must completely renounce sin and embrace a life of unwavering faith, much like the remarkable figure of Abraham, our model for faith. In the twilight of his years, at the age of 100, Abraham was a frail, elderly man, diminished by age and physical limitations. Despite his profound frailty, he held onto an extraordinary dream—a divine promise that declared he would become the father of countless nations. Given the stark reality of his age and condition, this promise seemed utterly impossible, yet it became a beacon of hope through steadfast faith.

For Abraham, embodying faith was not mere wishful thinking; it involved a radical commitment, a willingness to lay down his entire being upon the steadfast assurances of God’s word. He chose to surrender to divine will, trusting in God’s perfect timing and inexhaustible power to bring His promises to fruition. This level of faith is far from passive; it requires immense courage and fortitude, creating an open channel for God to manifest His miracles even in the face of daunting challenges. Abraham’s story resonates deeply, reminding us that a profound belief in God’s promises can lead to transformation and abundance, enabling us to witness the spectacular outcomes that only He can bring.

I greatly appreciate how Paul boldly confronts the sobering truth that he cannot escape his “body of death” through his own strength or efforts. The reality is apparent: our bodies, marred by sin, have become so thoroughly corrupted that any attempt to label them differently would simply be misleading. At sin’s very core lies a deep-seated corruption that has infiltrated our physical existence so profoundly that redemption in their current state seems unattainable.

The transformation we yearn for occurs when “this corruptible flesh puts on incorruption,” a profound metamorphosis that is not just a transient change but a crucial part of our spiritual salvation. This divine transformation is accomplished solely by our Heavenly Father, who—through the extraordinary might of the Holy Spirit—can effect such a deep and lasting change within us. This grace transcends human capability, illuminating the boundless mercy available to all who seek it.

Let us wholeheartedly thank God for this incredible gift of deliverance from the grip of death through our Lord Jesus Christ. Like Paul, we are called to engage our minds and spirits in His service, harnessing the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in our everyday lives. Yet, we must remain acutely aware that until our bodies are fully renewed and transformed, we find ourselves in a continuous struggle, always bound by the law of sin in our flesh. This ongoing battle serves as a poignant reminder of our dependence on God’s grace and the hope in our ultimate redemption, illuminating our path as we learn to rest in His light.

Stephen Barnett