"So I find this law at work:
When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being, I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members.
What a wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?
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.
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death."
Romans 7:21 - 8:2
Through Romans 6,7, and 8, Paul is talking about how the law reveals what is sin and death in us. The law is good because it points to what is holy and righteous, but it is a harsh taskmaster because it reveals all sin and impurity in our lives, leaving us condemned and hopeless.
Yet God in His love and mercy, sent His Son to bear that condemnation, to take our sins revealed by His law upon Himself, and to subject Himself to that very sentence of death that we - that I - deserved.
And now because I am in Christ, I find two laws warring within me: the new desire for holiness and righteousness, to live up to God's law through the freedom that leads to obedience; and the old sinfulness that still seeks to strangle and entrap me and to bring death to my soul.
So there are these two - the law of God that my mind delights in, and the law of death that refuses to release its hold - that constantly battle for control, constantly struggle within me. "When I want to do good, evil is right there with me."
How strongly my spirit resonates with Paul's words: "What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?"
Who indeed? Is there no escape, no rescue in sight from this tumult and storm and raging war within my body and soul and mind and heart? How it seems to engulf every part of me!
And yet - "Thanks be to God - through Jesus Christ our Lord."
There is freedom already purchased for me, freely provided to me - although not free in its cost to Him.
And yet still - "I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin."
The battle remains - even knowing I am free, redeemed, covered by His blood - there is still the war between this new, imputed righteousness, and the old, in-born sinfulness. No matter how I struggle, it remains with me and within me, and I tire of fighting to be free!
I wonder why Paul voices this struggle, then thanks God for His rescue - then restates the battle of two laws, two natures. It seems so hopeless in its constant cycle.
But the very next words ring out with hope and victory: "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
No condemnation? None? Even when I struggle and fail, when the law of sin wins over the law of God and is evident in my thoughts, my attitudes, my actions and words? Even when I fall into old sin habits and practices that I thought I had overcome? Even when fatigue and emotional exhaustion make me vulnerable to temptation and I once again allow my flesh to lead over the Spirit?
No condemnation - now? Right now, this moment - as the struggle continues and I grieve over sins committed even recently? Why? How? How can there not be condemnation and punishment for the many - innumerable - times that the sinful nature triumphs, and evil seems so ingrained in my choices?
Because I am in Christ Jesus.
Because His blood covers my sins.
Because His Spirit seals me for eternity.
Because no one - nothing - can take me from His hand.
Because He chose me from before the foundations of the earth.
Because He is alive and His nature lives in me.
Because I am His, "there is therefore now no condemnation."
I am free.
Free to obey the Spirit, to walk in-step with His voice and leading, to live apart from sin and death. I am called not to live under the old law that revealed sin in my life, but under a new law directed by the Spirit "in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met" - in me. My mind and heart and soul are now set on Christ; I desire to live out His righteousness in me.
And even when I fail in that, I am not condemned because I am in Him. Because I am in Him, I have the freedom to confess and seek forgiveness. Because I am in Him, I can know in full assurance that He has cleansed me from that unrighteousness. Because I am in Him, I can continue forward, learning what it truly is to walk in His grace and truth. Because I am in Him, I do not have to wait until I have conquered all my sins and weaknesses and atoned for all my mistakes before I come to Him, before I seek His face. Because I am in Him, victory is available, and full atonement has been provided. What peace and joy and hope reside in this truth; full, abundant life waits to blossom and bear fruit within me!
I am His, and I am free.
