Friday, 23 May 2025

Romans part 82 - Victory Over Sin 21

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Romans 7:18-20 For I know that nothing good dwells in me - that is, in my flesh. For to will is present in me, but to do the good is not. For the good that I want, I do not do; but the evil that I do not want, this I practice. But if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I doing it, but sin that dwells in me.

Look at this! In these three verses, Paul is restating (almost verbatim) what he said in the previous three verses. Consider these parallel thoughts. First from verse 15 "what I do not want, this I practice." And from verse 18 "to will is present in me, but to do the good is not."

But wait, there's more! From verse 16 "if I do what I do not want to do." And the parallel thought from verse 19 "For the good that I want, I do not do; but the evil that I do not want, this I practice.

Then finally, verses 17 and 20 are almost identical. First, Romans 7:17 So now it is no longer I doing it, but sin dwelling in me. Now, Romans 7:20 But if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I doing it, but sin that dwells in me.

The common phrase, "but sin dwells in me," is word for word identical in the Greek. (I'm not a Greek scholar, but I see the words are identical. Some interpret these pleadings of Paul as a call to submission. After all, since we all have an evil inclination, why fight it? Rather than submit, Paul is building toward a spiritual victory, sometimes called "deliverance."

We're not "there" yet, but I can't wait for it. Romans 7:24 Miserable man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Paul answers his own question ... (You might imagine he gives the right answer, it is in the Bible.) Romans 7:25a Thanks be to God - it is through Messiah Yeshua our Lord!

Our rescue is through Messiah Yeshua! Now that's a very pleasant thought. Let's meditate on it for a moment. Titus 3:5-6 not by deeds of righteousness which we had done ourselves, but because of His mercy - He saved us through the mikveh of rebirth and renewing of the Ruach ha-Kodesh, whom He abundantly poured out on us through Messiah Yeshua our Savior.

A little shorter than usual today. Shalom shalom.