THE LAW OF SIN AT WORK

Every now and then, when I’m happily going my way, feeling pretty good about myself, the Lord gives me a glimpse of just how sinful I really am, and it hurts.

I have spent time, night and day these last few days wondering, and talking with the Lord, about how I could have said words I said, hurtful and demeaning words, that I cannot take back.  There was a way to address the things that bothered me that would have resulted in a parting of the ways perhaps, but left the relationship intact. I did not take that way and now I believe the damage is irreparable.

The irony of it all is that I’ve been studying the Sermon on the Mount, specifically the verses where Jesus says: “You have heard it said, ‘Do not murder and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’  But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment.”  

I’d like to think that I would never be guilty of breaking the commandment that says, “You shall not kill.”  Pretty proud of that fact, actually.  But as soon as Jesus takes it to the next step, I’m done for.  

Today I understand so well the words of the Apostle Paul in Romans 7:

“I find this law at work (in me).  When I want to do good, evil is right there with me.  For in my inner being I delight in God’s law, but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members.  What a wretched (wo)man I am!  Who will rescue me from this body of death?”

This week I have been a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me.  It shames me.

Clinging to Paul’s final word:

“Who will rescue me from this body of death?  Thanks be to God – through Jesus Christ our Lord!”