Fighting And Resting

“Did that which is good, then, become death to me? Absolutely not! But sin, so that it would be shown to be sin, produced death in me through what is good, so that through the commandment sin would become utterly sinful. For we know that the law is spiritual—but I am unspiritual, sold into slavery to sin. For I don’t understand what I am doing. For I do not do what I want—instead, I do what I hate. But if I do what I don’t want, I agree that the law is good. But now it is no longer me doing it, but sin that lives in me. For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh. I want to do the good but cannot do it. For I do not do the good I want, but I do the very evil I do not want! Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer me doing it but sin that lives in me.” Romans 7:13-20 NET

Moses received profound revelations from God, articulated through the Law, which serves as a divine blueprint for spiritual understanding and ethical conduct. For Paul, a passionate scholar of these sacred texts, the Law represented far more than mere regulations and laws; it embodied the essence of goodness, righteousness, and holiness. Driven by a fervent desire to live in harmony with the Law, Paul sought to allow its transformative power to reshape his heart and life choices early on in his life. This transformation was not abstract; the Law actively guided his decisions, infusing his journey with purpose and igniting a profound sense of spiritual vitality.

Yet, entwined with this enlightening power was a haunting awareness of sin. The Law, while illuminating the path to righteousness, starkly exposed the pervasive and insidious nature of sin that resides within humanity. Paul vividly recognized that we are born of flesh, inherently unspiritual and susceptible to temptation. This duality of man creates a profound internal struggle, as we wrestle with our instinctual inclinations and the compelling call to live in accordance with God’s Law. It becomes evident that we are ensnared, caught in the unyielding grip of sin and its far-reaching consequences, reaching toward a life defined by divine righteousness but unable to reach.

My central argument is that the Apostle Paul aimed to reveal the true nature of sin, illustrating that it is fundamentally and entirely corrupt. The commandment serves a critical role in this process, as it defines sin and exposes its moral failings. By clearly labeling sin as rebellion against God, the commandment illuminates how it stands in direct opposition to God’s perfect will for our lives.

Human nature often urges us to engage in self-righteous acts, believing we can win God’s approval or gain His favor through our efforts. However, this inclination is fundamentally misguided; it obscures the reality that God is not interested in our attempts to please Him through mere obedience to the law or any works of the flesh. Instead, what genuinely pleases God is a heart that seeks Him and relies on His grace.

Interestingly, God can use our flawed humanity to fulfill His divine purposes. Through our weaknesses and struggles, He manifests His strength and brings about His righteousness in us and through us. This beautiful exchange is not just a reflection of our individual journeys; it ultimately serves to glorify God as He orchestrates His work, transforming our lives into instruments of His love and truth.

I find myself continually inspired by the extraordinary faith of Abraham, who was 100 years old when Paul famously described him as “as good as dead.” At that age, he was beyond the point of human possibility for fatherhood, yet he held onto a profound belief in God’s promises. This trust was not just a mere acknowledgment but a deep-rooted conviction transcending his physical limitations. Similarly, his wife Sarah, aged 90 and long past her childbearing years, faced a seemingly similar impossible situation.

Yet, against all odds, they were given a son, Isaac, a miraculous gift that defied the conventional understanding of biology. This wasn’t just about overcoming physical obstacles; it illustrated the essence of divine intervention. Isaac’s birth was a testament to God’s promise and power, highlighting how, through faith, the impossible can become possible.

This miraculous event parallels the birth of Jesus, who was conceived by Mary and Joseph without human intervention. Just as with Isaac, this was a divine encounter that brought forth hope and salvation. Both stories serve as powerful reminders that faith can open doors to miracles, illustrating that when we trust in God, we tap into a force far greater than our circumstances or even our own efforts.

Paul profoundly articulates the all-encompassing nature of sin, which compels him to confront the stark reality of his enslavement to it. Every individual on earth serves as a slave to something—either to the desires of the flesh, driven by worldly temptations, or to the higher calling of the spirit, which seeks alignment with the divine will. He candidly admits that he often struggles to understand his actions, recognizing that sin is a master deceiver, capable of masking even our most noble intentions behind a veil of confusion.

Despite his deep yearning to surrender his physical body and its desires to God’s righteousness, he finds himself continually undermined by the corrupting influence of sin. This internal conflict leads him to act against his deepest convictions, ultimately resulting in behavior that he abhors. Paul reflects on this struggle with brutal honesty, admitting that the flesh is inherently weak and prone to failure. When he falls short of his desires and resorts to actions contrary to his desires, he comes to an important realization: the law is inherently good, as it reveals truth and exposes the depths of his sin.

In this struggle, it is not merely his failure to attain God’s expectations that burdens him; it is sin’s persistent and insidious presence that dwells deep within his being, fueling a relentless spiritual battle that shapes the core of his existence. This ongoing duality of desire highlights the profound tension between his aspirations for righteousness and the overwhelming pull of his sinful nature.

As long as we dwell within our physical bodies, we remain vulnerable to the enticements of our sinful and corrupt nature, which can lead us away from our true calling. This is why we must consciously reckon ourselves as dead to the desires of the flesh each day, much like Abraham, who demonstrated unwavering faith and a profound commitment to God’s promises, because he was so old and practically dead in the flesh. By adopting this vital mindset of surrender, the transformative power of God that resides within us is unlocked, allowing His radiant glory to illuminate our thoughts, actions, and relationships.

God’s promises to us shine with an unwavering ‘yes and amen’—affirming His faithfulness and steadfast commitment to fulfilling His Word. These divine promises continually unveil God’s astonishing power and nature, guiding us toward His magnificent plans for our lives in ways we could never achieve or even imagine. When we fully embrace this extraordinary truth and live with intentional surrender, we invite boundless possibilities, profound joy, and a deep sense of purpose that transcends our understanding, enriching our lives in ways we never thought possible.

Stephen Barnett