I intended on going through Romans 8 today, but my Scofield had a subheading “Set free from the law” that caught my eye. So, I sat with a cup of coffee, my bible, a pencil and a blank piece of paper. <\/p>\n
In Romans 7, Paul talks about the difference in the Old Testament Law and the New Testament Covenant. He proposes that because the law was there, it impelled our sinful nature to disobey it. What a statement – and I think it’s totally true. We see it in kids, the way we drive, and I see it in my own life. “Go this way” – and I go another way. Now, Paul also speaks to the condition of our salvation. We are born into sinful nature, it’s our way – it goes against law, against God. But, with the death and resurrection of Jesus (AMEN!), we have been DELIVERED from that nature. That’s what I was always taught – you’re a Christian, go and sin no more, be with Christ, etc. It never really made sense to me. I know we’re all sinners; I know how we get free. I just never took it from mind to heart.<\/p>\n
What Paul says here in Romans 7 is we always have our sinful nature – and it seeks to control us, even if we’re delivered. What Christ offers is the only thing that can move us from that nature. However, it’s not an automatic or CONTINUAL thing. I’ve heard all my life that we need to walk with Christ, to dwell in His Presence, to see through His eyes. Yet, it sounds obligatory – a law. And what does our sinful nature do? Fights it. It’s a catch 22 – we have to dwell with Christ to combat our nature, but our nature seeks to say “that’s just something you HAVE to do, do what YOU want”. It makes sense when I look back on my life. <\/p>\n
Why do I fall away from having a heart for Him? I quit looking to Him. Why to I still sin even if I’m saved? I quit looking to Him. Now, HOW do I look to Him in a way that won’t arouse my sinful nature? I don’t think I can, yet I can ask Him to push it away. <\/p>\n
I had insight today. It showed me what “take up your cross daily” really means. It starts with what Dr. MacDonald calls the “blueprint for happiness in your life” … the Bible. Just in 25 minutes of reading and listening, I’ve realized something in my HEART that I’ve known all my adult life. That’s what walking with Christ does – it’s puts in your heart the God-stuff that’s in your head. It’s active. It’s continual. It requires effort on our part.<\/p>\n
Thank you, Spirit, for leading me here today. It’s an amazing start. I’m looking forward to tomorrow. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I intended on going through Romans 8 today, but my Scofield had a subheading “Set free from the law” that caught my eye. So, I sat with a cup of coffee, my bible, a pencil and a blank piece of paper. In Romans 7, Paul talks about the difference in the Old Testament Law and … <\/p>\n