Romans 7:7-20
What 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.” 8 But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of coveting. For apart from the law, sin was dead. 9 Once I was alive apart from the law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. 10 I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death. 11 For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, deceived me, and through the commandment put me to death. 12 So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good.
13 Did that which is good, then, become death to me? By no means! Nevertheless, in order that sin might be recognized as sin, it used what is good to bring about my death, so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful. 14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 For 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. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
Mike McCoy
Vineyard Church – Concord
Observation: LORD, I see that in the old creation I could never be a good person no matter how hard I tried. You are showing me all I have to be thankful for as part of Your new creation in Jesus Christ – free from the law, sin, and death. I hear You challenging me to reflect on how to share this good news with my neighbors in a way that connects to what you are doing in their lives.
Action: Father, I hear You asking me to intentionally share the good news of freedom from the law, sin, and death in Jesus with two of my neighbors before Easter Sunday. I will pray for and expect them to respond positively to Your good news for their lives.
Observation: Sin is and opportunist, “sin seizing the opportunity.”
Action: Today I am going to see friends from my high school days. Like Mike, I will watch for and expect good results as I seize the opportunity to share freedom in Jesus with people I care enough about to speak with personally.
Observation: Teaching my small group of kids about the Holy Spirit, I learned a few things myself. The HS gives me power, comfort, and my own unique gifts, but also serves as an alarm when I’m in (or about to get myself in) trouble. I don’t need the law to convict me, I have the HS and the example of Jesus’ life to follow.
Action: Remember that I am a new creation because Jesus cared enough to intercede (the key word being ‘cared’). Caring (i.e., love) covers a multitude of sins. I don’t need to be right or prove through some legal means that I’m right. Follow Jesus’ example–when in doubt, love on somebody.