PASTORS' DAILY DEVOTIONAL
May
26
26
Only through Jesus!
Rod Shimabukuro
Scripture
[21]So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. [22]For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, [23]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. [24]Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? [25]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
Observation
The conflict and war between the flesh, sin, law and the cross and grace of Jesus is explained in Ro. 7. I think Paul writes with a deep, deep sigh - of relief and gratitude in v 25 after his detailed explanation of the law of sin, relating the the commandment and the flesh - THANKS BE TO GOD THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD! It’s almost as if, after describing his personal dilemma with his flesh and sin, his soul and heart shouts to God - THANK YOU JESUS!!!
But I can see how paralyzed Christians can be, living in this body of flesh, battling with sin, yet desiring to fully live a godly life. Yet we are unable to in our on strength without the gracious cross and sacrifice of our risen Jesus!
But I can see how paralyzed Christians can be, living in this body of flesh, battling with sin, yet desiring to fully live a godly life. Yet we are unable to in our on strength without the gracious cross and sacrifice of our risen Jesus!
Application
I’ve certainly been paralyzed in seasons of my Christian life. Wrestling with my flesh, sometimes yielding to the discouragement of being a failure, yet trusting in His forgiveness and grace when I repent. Like Paul, today my heart leaps with joy, proclaiming - THANKS BE TO GOD THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD!
I must continue to set and reset my heart, thoughts, and lips on this fact - that the finished work of Jesus on the cross has taken care of my sins - all of my sins - as I continue to choose to fight the good fight of faith. I want to keep choosing His grace, to live for Him with all my heart, while battling my fleshly fights… I can say with boldness and confidence - THANKS BE TO GOD THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD!
I must continue to set and reset my heart, thoughts, and lips on this fact - that the finished work of Jesus on the cross has taken care of my sins - all of my sins - as I continue to choose to fight the good fight of faith. I want to keep choosing His grace, to live for Him with all my heart, while battling my fleshly fights… I can say with boldness and confidence - THANKS BE TO GOD THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD!
Prayer
Dear Daddie God…THANKS BE TO GOD THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD!
