I read Romans 7 & 8 today, and Romans 7:15-20 has a lot of 'do's and 'do not do's that some people find confusing, so I thought it might help to explain and simplify it. Here's what I find Paul saying in these verses:
"I want to do what is good. I don't understand why I do evil instead, when I really want to do good. I hate the evil that my sinful nature desires, but I find that I keep doing it anyway."
I know I've had times when I felt the exact same way, desiring to do good, yet living as a prisoner of my sinful, fleshly desires. The good news found in the rest of the chapter is that Jesus sets us free from the control of those sinful desires, free to live according to His Spirit, and the true desires of our spirits. Chapter 8 continues with more of this hope, saying that in Christ we are not condemned, we are given His power to live for the Spirit rather than the flesh.
How important is it to set our minds, and the course of our lives, on the Spirit rather than the flesh? Extremely important! Verse 8 says, "Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God." Then in verse 13, "For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live." Now this isn't to make us afraid, it's to help us realize that the call to Christianity is a call to obedience, and a call to follow in the footsteps of our Father. After all, we have been adopted into God's family. He chooses us, He justifies us, and nothing can separate us from His love. In faith, we respond with love and obedience.
That is the reason I started the Godly Man Project - out of love for God and all that He has done, I want to honour Him with my life and learn to live by His Spirit. Knowing it's possible, and important, I want to do the best I can, by His strength.
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