Sin Abides In Me

For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.  (Rom 7:15-25a KJV)

St. Paul served tirelessly to serve the Lord. He knew that he was a wretched man; that sin dwelt within him and that sin tried very hard to direct his ways.

None of us are without sin. There is indeed a war that goes on inside of us. We may desire to do what is good; what is right; but, temptations come and sometimes we are not even aware that they are temptations. They come and we succumb.

We turn our backs on God. We turn our backs on fellowman as we strive to fulfill out own desires. But, in the end; hopefully, we know that what we have done cannot be done undone by any good works of our own. The only help that can be found is by faith in the one who was and is sinless. The only help for our souls is in faith in the one who died for us. Salvation is ours only through faith in the one who was willing to face sin, death, and the power of the devil for us, Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord.

Prior to his relationship with Jesus, St. Paul had persecuted Jesus' followers. He had them killed. Yet, by faith in the promises of God through Christ Jesus, Paul knew that his sins were forgiven. He did not deserve to be forgiven even as we do not deserve to be forgiven. It was by faith alone in the life giving sacrifice of our Lord Jesus that he knew that he was saved and reconciled to God for all of eternity.

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Eph 2:7-9)

God's Peace - Pr. J.