7What shall we say, then? Is the law sinful? Certainly not! Nevertheless, I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, "You shall not covet." - P94
18For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. - P95
24What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?
25Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.
- P95
Paul explains that the Law is not sinful, but it reveals sin. Sin uses the Law toproduce death even though the Law is holy. Paul describes his inner conflict:He desires to do good but finds another law at work within him waging waragainst his mind. Though he delights in God‘s Law, he feels captive to thelaw of sin. - P96
The Law is not evil. God testifies throughout Scripture that the Law was intended to bring life to those who obey it. However, the Law also gives knowledge of sin. The sinful nature with which we are born is rebellious to God, so sin uses God’s commandments to stir up the rebellion inside us. This does not mean the Law is the source of sin. - P96
On the contrary, it acts as a mirror that reflects the sin that is already in our hearts. The Law exposes sin for what it is and helps us come to terms with our inability to obey God’s commandments. But the good news is, as Paul will make clear, that our failures lead us to God’s grace. - P96
God, I desire to live for You, but because my good intentions are weak, I end up doing what I don’t want to do. Please fill me with Your Spirit and surround me with other disciples who will remind me to live for You. In Jesus’ name, amen. - P97
As we learn in this passage, while the Law helpsus understand what God views as sin, it cannot fix the brokenness inside ofus that leads to sin. We are helpless in our own strengthThe more we try to fix ourselves through willpower, the more frustratedand defeated we become. But we were never meant to face this battle alone.
- P97
Paul‘s lament ends with a declaration of faith and thanksgiving, "What awretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject todeath? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!"
(Rom. 7:24-25). Instead of pretending to be strong, we must allow ourweakness to lead us to God‘s strength. We do not overcome sin by tryingharder but by surrendering deeper. - P97
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