THE INWARD BATTLE OF ROMANS SEVEN

"For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do." (Romans 7:15)

Devotion 11 of 23

IT IS SIN THAT DWELLS IN ME

      "Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me" (Rom 7:17). If "I do" it, yet "I" do not do it, then who is it that really does it? It may sound like a lot of double-talk, but it is not. The guilty party is that part that has been circumcised from the regenerated part. It is the "law of sin," or sin principle, that remains in me, and expresses itself exclusively through the "old man." It is the part driven and dominated by "another law" that dwells within the earthly part of believers, warring against the law of their mind (Rom 7:23).

    This is a powerful example of the meaning of Titus 2:11-13. There "the grace of God" is said to effectively teach us "that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."

    This denial is not pretending the "ungodliness and worldly lusts" do not exist, or saying they are not in us. Rather, it is denying they are an expression of our will and preference. It is also a refusal to allow them to sit upon the throne of our heart and mind. It is as though we rejected their appeals, refusing their expression through the energy and direction of the Holy Spirit (Rom 8:13).

    Being made "kings and priests unto God" (Rev 1:5-6), we rule over the petitions of our lower and sinful nature. We can reject their appeals in the power of the Holy Spirit. When they say "follow me," we say "NO!" They are like Sanballot and Tobiah were to Nehemiah (Neh 4:3; 6:2). They are in the place where we are. They shout at us as though they belonged to us, but they do not. They are enemies, living within the borders or our personality, but separate from our real persons. Whatever they say to us, and whatever suggestions they make, we say, "It is not I! That is not the expression of my true desires!"  By faith, and in the power of the Holy Spirit, we are able to cast down their suggestions.

    In a sense, it is a humbling experience to find that we have "sin" dwelling in us, cohabiting with us in the same vessel. But it is a temporary situation from which we will be delivered. Until that deliverance comes, learn to capitalize on the truth revealed in this text. You are not responsible for what the sinful nature suggests! That is a privilege vouchsafed to you by the grace of God in Christ Jesus, and through the power of the Holy Spirit.

PRAYER POINT: Father, I glorify you through the Lord Jesus Christ for the prospect of dwelling forever in Your immediate presence, where sin cannot molest!

-- Tomorrow: I KNOW ABOUT FLESH --