Torridge Coastal Mission Community

Reflection from Nigel Price

Romans 7:14-28

14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.[ a ] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!

So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature[ b ] a slave to the law of sin. (NIV)

Reflection

I read a little booklet called Our Daily Bread and this morning’s reflection spoke right to my heart. The fight we have daily between good and evil, at times leaves us totally exhausted, I am no exception to this statement. So, please allow me to share Adrian Smith’s thought’s on: -

AMAZING GRACE

“Feverish in body, disturbed in mind- sinful, vile, tempted. A lost humbling day have seldom seen worse. Lord have pardon” So wrote John Newton in his diary for 2nd September 1767.

The writer of ‘Amazing Grace’ and an important figure in the abolition of the evil slave trade he once supported, Newton was no stranger to spiritual struggles.

Although living hundreds of years later, we too can feel ourselves ripped apart over the tug of war between the sinful nature and our desire to please God. Yet newton preserved just as we should and four months later thanked God for His “mercy, health, peace, a plenty”

It easy for us to choose despair when things are not going so well, but my friends can I encourage you to keep going because we have a Christ who loves us unconditionally warts and all.

I am comforted to know that I am not on my own when facing the battles against evil. Neither are you! Have faith stand strong and have faith because as we read in Matthew gospel chapter 28 verse 20.

‘ And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’

Let’s Pray

Loving God, when we battle within, keep us looking towards Your grace and hope, knowing that you will deliver us from them. AMEN

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