By: Arnie Cole and Michael Ross
Today's passage
I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do--this I keep on doing.
Reflect
-With Christ's help, what struggle must I confront?
-Do I feel hopeless that I will never "win" the struggle against sin?
-Do I really believe that I am freed from sin through Jesus?
It's true: We will never be free from sin. Each one of us will struggle with sin for the rest of our lives, and none of us is worse off, or better off, than the other. Not only are we flawed and broken, even when we know what the right choice is in our hearts, we still persist in our sinful nature. "When I want to do good, evil is right there with me," writes a frustrated Paul in Romans 7. "What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?" There is only one answer to Paul's plaintive question. Paul knew it, and we need to know it, too: We are never free from sin ... except in Christ. Say it today and every day when you feel sin's power beginning to overwhelm you: "Thanks be to God--through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (Romans 7:25).
Respond
Ask for Change: Lord, thank You for saving me from my day-in and day-out persistent sin. Only through You am I truly free.
Consider what's real: God gives us the Holy Spirit as a Guide and Counselor, and if we learn to listen to this Presence in our lives, we will learn to make better, God-guided decisions. But how do we hear these whispers of guidance from God? It begins in prayer. Starting today, ask God for His guidance. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you through the day; ask to hear His voice in your everyday life.
Additional verses to consider: Romans 3:22-24, Romans 8:1-6
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