War With The Flesh
Reality of the situation
Verses 14-22 - For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. 15 For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. 17 So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.
21 So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. 22 For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being,
Ever felt this way? This is Good news
Recognize the Frustration
Verse 24 - Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?
Wrong Reactions
1. Be a traitor - Give in
2. Surrender - Give up
3. Comdemnation - Self - Friendly Fire
Recognize the War
Verse 23 - but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members
Recognize the Opponents
Verse 25 - Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.
Recognize the Goal
Romans 1:5 - through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations,
We are not fighting for our salvation
BUT
His Reputation - that is something worth fighting for
