July 11, 2023

Today's Reading: Romans 7:14-25a

Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 27:1-24, John 20:1-18

“For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.”  Romans 7:15

In the Name of Jesus, Amen. I’m sure you are like most people who hear the word “sin” you think of the things you have done. In our reading today, Paul does mention the sins he hates, but he also says the power of sin, which is, you guessed it, sin.  What does this mean?  We can’t stop sinning because sin is at work and lives within us. Does that mean we can blame sin for our sinning and somehow squirm our way out of blame?  Not at all; the Law of God still stands and reminds us of all that we have thought, said, and done in our sins under the power of sin.

This is similar to addiction.  At the beginning of addiction, the person freely chooses to become interactive with that addictive substance. Drugs, alcohol, porn, food, you name your favorite addiction; it can wreak havoc on all of us.  However, within addiction, soon that substance controls the individual, whose life becomes dominated by seeking the next fix. When that happens, you’ve bought into the habit at one level while overwhelmed by it at another.  And so “it is a sin that dwells within me” that is both the power at work in you and the addiction you always return to.  

What does this mean for you as a Christian?  Well, simply put, you are simultaneously a saint and a sinner.  In other words, you are at war, not only with sin but yourself and your addiction to sin.  In other words, as Paul says, we are very much with ourselves.  It's “the law of sin that dwells in my members” that takes us captive.  There is a war going on, and sin is taking its prisoners!  The result is hopelessness.  “Who will rescue me from this body of death?”  And the answer?  “God through Jesus Christ our Lord.”  Christ Jesus is your victor in the circular battle against sin, the devil, and your flesh. 

Apart from Christ, the victor you are hopelessly lost and defeated.  “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Cor. 5:21.  Your sins are great, but Jesus is greater.  By the power of the Holy Spirit, repent of your sins, and plead the blood of Jesus to your heavenly Father, who hears you.  There is no forgiveness of sins without the shedding of blood.  Christ knows your addiction to evil and yourself, and He desires to kill you by the Law so that you may be made alive in Him, forgiven, restored, and clean. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

To Jesus we for refuge flee, Who from the curse has set us free, And humbly worship at His throne, Saved by His grace through faith alone. (LSB 579:6)

-Pastor Kent Schaaf is Pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Little Rock. AR.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Jonathan Lackey is an LCMS seminarian.

Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House