Everyone struggles with something. Yet, many who struggle with sin also firmly believe in and serve the living God. We face this contradiction in our lives: The indwelling Spirit strives to do right, while indwelling sin is ever lurking to defeat us. Two conflicting natures within one body—it’s a monumental fight.
Today’s scripture reading is a stunningly transparent portrayal of a disciple deeply mired in a struggle between godliness and carnality, while facing condemnation under the law. Some debate whether Paul is speaking hypothetically or personally. It doesn’t matter; the words he speak apply to every human.
Paul’s use of the first person in this passage compels the reader to see this as a personal dilemma. It’s not an abstract portrayal of someone else’s sin, but my personal sin; it forces me to take ownership of my situation. I’m required to see myself as the warrior embroiled in this battle.
I must face the truth, sin is seldom an issue of not knowing better, but a function of choosing not to do better. At times it’s knowingly making the wrong choices, then rationalizing sin as an inherent, inescapable dimension of my humanity. Seemingly, it is a hopeless situation in which I find myself—a spiritual quagmire and a “no win” scenario.
Don’t confuse Paul’s description of the dilemma as a declaration of defeat. His words aren’t a white flag of surrender but a flashing arrow pointing to the answer. My solution isn’t in condemnation under the law, which points out and convicts me of my sin, but the blood of Jesus Christ which liberates me from condemnation. My solution is in a better law, “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:2).
With Christ, The “no win” scenario is a “can’t lose” victory!
Lesson to Remember: With Christ, the struggle with sin isn’t a “no win” scenario but a “can’t lose” victory!
“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”—Romans 8:1
