136th BDS – 9/15/2024

Scripture Reference: Romans 7:14-25

In this particular passage of Scriptures, there is a brutal honesty with what is going on within us. Tertius wrote this to the Romans from Corinthus by the dictation from the Apostle Paul and it was sent to the church at Cenchrea by the hand of Phebe. So Paul says what we all find ourselves going through especially in these days and times, if we are transparent enough to admit it. There is a war going on inside each of us. For some, it is seen as the battle between good and evil, and for some the flesh (our human bodies, carnal minds, tainted hearts) and the Spirit (GOD’s divine power, love and soundness of the mind with obedience to His laws).

“For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.” Romans‬ ‭7‬:‭15‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The Apostle Paul says simply those things that I know that I shouldn’t do, those are the very things that I find myself doing, even the things that I know are against the very obedience to GOD.

I would imagine that for the Apostle Paul being a Man of GOD and in the position that he was in, having to spill the tea to Tertius wasn’t the easiest thing to do. Yet he found comfort in owning up to his failures during his walk with GOD. When we are willing to openly admit  to GOD and to others without worrying about the backlash, guilt or shame that will inevitably accompany it, the level of freedom hits differently.

“If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭7‬:‭16‬-‭21‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Final Thought: The Apostle Paul broke it down and illustrated for us exactly what we are up against. With our human way of thinking (or, carnal mind) if we willingly make excuses for the things that we do that don’t measure up to GOD’s Word (laws), it is no longer just our flesh but the more there are sins that still hold us captive from true freedom in and through CHRIST JESUS. It’s like saying yes to stealing because we needed something rather than depending on GOD in His perfect will to provide it for us. (vs. 19-20) The itch to do the wrong things however great or small that they may be, is always with us because we were born into a sinful nature. (vs. 21) He closes the chapter by saying that yes he recognizes that there is a war going on his body constantly, but through JESUS CHRIST working in us by the HOLY SPIRIT we can be delivered and continue to be set free from the things that so easily come naturally because we are still Earthly creatures. (vs. 23-25) So give thanks to GOD in all things because as we allow The Spirit to remain in us and day by day defeat this body that we live in, though we may think the wrong thoughts, say the wrong things and act unseemly we have an ever present help that will cause us to be triumphant in the end!!!

-Minister Marchand, Founder and Overseer of JESUS IS GLOBAL MINISTRIES-JIGM and JESUS IS GLOBAL MINISTRY INTERNATIONAL ASSEMBLY-JIGMIA