2 December ROMANS 7

When you are at the end of your rope, Christ is your only hope

Romans 7:24-25(MSG) I’ve tried everything and nothing helps. I’m at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn’t that the real question? The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different.

Is this not powerful? Paul says that he has tried everything, but nothing helps. He tried everything. No one can help him. Then he answers himself, saying that after trying everything, Jesus Christ can help. Sin wants to control his life, but through Jesus’s help, he can now overcome sin.

Matthew 5:3(MSG) “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you, there is more of God and his rule.

Psalm 79:8-10(MSG) Don’t blame us for the sins of our parents. Hurry up and help us; we’re at the end of our rope. You’re famous for helping; God, give us a break. Your reputation is on the line. Pull us out of this mess, forgive us our sins— do what you’re famous for doing! Don’t let the heathen get by with their sneers: “Where’s your God? Is he out to lunch?” Go public and show the godless world that they can’t kill your servants and get by with it.

Through faith in Jesus, we are set free from our carnal desires and the sinful nature that produces them. While we are still on this earth, our sinful nature will always fight against our desire to serve God.

Through faith in Jesus, Paul can serve God and do His will while still struggling against his sinful nature.

I conclude with Galatians 5:16-18(AMP) “But I say, walk habitually in the Spirit , and then you will certainly not carry out the desire of the sinful nature . For the sinful nature has its desire which is opposed to the Spirit, and the Spirit opposes the sinful nature; for these are in direct opposition to each other , so that you do not do whatever you want to do. But if you are guided and led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the Law.”