The Struggle Within

by John Jackson

In trying to help the Romans understand our relationship to the cross, Paul makes a profound statement about our inner struggle with sin. From the law we learn what is right and what is wrong. We learn the commands of God and put them in our hearts. But even after knowing what is right and making it our desire to do the right thing, we still find ourselves doing what we don't want to do.
Our sinful nature works against us so that we do what we hate. This is the struggle we all must face. Our inner being wants to do what is pleasing to God, but our sinful nature is always there pulling at us to do what is not pleasing to God. Reading through Romans chapter 6, Paul tells how we were slaves to sin but then we were made slaves to righteousness. So, even though we have made ourselves slaves to righteousness by joining in Christ's death in baptism, we still must face the sinful nature that causes us to do what we now hate.
What can we do to overcome the sinful nature? As Paul says in Romans 7:25 "Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!" Where we have failed, the blood of Christ perfects us. And since we are now freed from the condemnation we had in sin, we must now set our minds away from our sinful nature and towards righteousness. We do this by praying, studying the scriptures, meeting in the assembly, and focusing on our service to God. Doing the will of God is the only true way to overcome our sinful nature.
Unfortunately, we have an enemy. The devil seeks to pull us away from God and to draw us out of Christ. Some say that we should not be afraid of the devil or that there is no devil, but we should know better. "But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ." ( 2 Corinthians 11:3) We should never underestimate our enemy. Not that we should seek to attack the devil. How could we? We must overcome him, not conquer him. Our victory and salvation in Christ is his failure.
If we make use of what God has given us to remain faithful and keep a strong defense against the devil, we will see the glory of God in our lives. And we should never forget that our salvation, our freedom, is through the blood of Christ alone. We have done nothing to earn the grace of God. But without committing ourselves to God, becoming slaves to His righteousness, we will surely fall away. As the Hebrews writer said in chapter 2 verse 3, "How will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?" Let us continue to strive to do what pleases God.

• Sin in the Twenty-First Century -Nov 18, 2001
• It's Like... -Jun 17, 2001
• No One Has the Right to Choose to Do What is Wrong! -Nov 09, 1999
• Wrongful Desires -Mar 07, 1999