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When I read verse 15 I am encouraged and depressed at the same time, I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. If Paul feels like he has trouble controlling the influence of sin in his life, what hope do I have? To top it all off, Paul goes on to say in verse 24, What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? If Paul had left it there I would be completely without hope. However, Paul does give us hope by concluding the chapter with verse 25, Thanks be to God–through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin. Because of God, through Jesus Christ, we are free from the power of sin. This doesn’t mean we won’t sin, it just means we don’t need to let it control us. In yesterday’s post, my friend Brian made a great comment. In essence, he made the observation that we must seek out our Master daily so we can know His desires for our lives. The daily renewal of our minds (Romans 12:2) is what frees us from the control of sin in our lives.
Daily Devotion 
Agreed Dino. As it says in verse 21, “So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me.” The devil is always waiting in the wings to find the opportune time to cause us to stumble. Brian’s point was a good one–we have to DAILY seek His will and his way. We have to realize that we’re going to be bombarded by the daily (hourly, even) assaults the devil will throw at us, and we have to be prepared for battle.
I love what you guys have been replying here. This Chapter was really insightful. Paul is opening up and putting himself out there by stating (verse 15) “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” Wow! This hits me hard. In my life there are countless situations that I choose the wrong coarse of action based on my selfishness or carnal flesh. But, thats part of the everyday struggle of fighting flesh with the spirit and like Brian and you both said getting in the word and giving time/seeking the Master gives your spirit a tune up and allows me to be more aware of my selfishness and fleshly desires. Great stuff guys!!
I love the beginning of this chapter. Somehow I’ve always missed the marriage metaphor. Because of Jesus we are dead to the power of the law and FREE to follow Jesus! Is that not incredible news!? We are free to follow the leading of the spirit. We are free to have a deep relationship with him. We are free to live instead of adhere to a bunch of rules. We are free to live with the struggle Paul talks about later in the chapter without fear of condemnation. We’ve all been where Paul is. Looking at choices we’ve made and shaking our heads in complete anguish over them. Wondering how the heck we thought they were good ideas. Then the most comforting words, “Jesus will rescue me.” THAT is good news.