The longer I serve the Lord, the more I appreciate Romans 7:24-25.   In fact, I’ve taken to regarding it as the “battle cry” of every blood washed saint.  It is the Christian’s answer to sin, and all its consequences thereof.  In these verses Paul describes the conflict of a Christian who inwardly loves God and Truth with every fiber of his being.  Yet, at the same time, he is at odds with another law that is raging inside of him.  That is, the law of sin and death.

Recently my pastor preached a sermon that was very hard for many to hear — including me.  For at least a good three-quarters of the sermon he preached on God’s “ideal,” setting forth God’s holy pattern and righteous decrees.   Then he went on to explain the devastation that results when we don’t do it God’s way.  Many of us in the congregation had first hand knowledge of the personal and relational carnage he was talking about.  For a moment in time, I for one, tasted the hopelessness of life without Christ.  But, then the good news!  Jesus.  He came to save us from our sins.  (Matthew 1:21b)  He came to destroy the works of the devil.  (I John 3:8b)   He came to open blind eyes, free captives, and release those who sit in darkness. (Isaiah 42:7)  He came to rescue us from the dominion of darkness and transfer us into the kingdom of His Son. (Colossians 1:13)  Because of Jesus, sin shall not be our master because we are under grace.  (Romans 6:14 )

Isn’t that beautiful?  Every broken, soiled, and sin marred thing in our lives is redeemed and restored in Jesus Christ.

“What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?  Thanks be to God – through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:24-25a)