A Daily Devotion for Monday, August 10
- ontrakk
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Romans 7: 14-25
We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 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. 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.
So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 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. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 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 a slave to the law of sin.
When I have read these passages in the past, I have wondered what Paul could possibly have been doing that was so sinful! He certainly wasn’t stealing from people or assaulting women or kidnapping children for ransom. Now I am realizing maybe he struggled with everyday sins like I do: being critical and judgmental, for example, or holding a grudge, or putting off forgiveness, or turning away from someone in need when it is more convenient to turn away. These are not easy to put down on paper, but I might as well admit I still struggle to do the right thing. With God’s help, the guidance of his Holy Spirit, I can overcome this sin. It is a constant battle.
Holy Lord, help me, I pray. May I be reminded and convicted to do the right thing when I am making a poor choice. May I be quick to ask forgiveness and to offer forgiveness as well. May I help those who I am in a position to help. Open my eyes, Lord, I pray. Also, Lord God, please send extra comfort to my friend Kenda, whose father passed away this morning. Amen
Becky, transforming
Romans 7:15-25
I’m pretty sure we all want to do what is right in the eyes of God but find ourselves falling here and there. I know I have! Sin is all around and can cunningly draw me in…bad temperament, resentfulness, hurtful words, distraction…and this is likely the “short list”. Verse 25 is the last verse in chapter 7. The first verse of chapter 8 is “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Jesus”…this is the heart of our reading today.
In all my imperfection, this is what all this boils down to for me:
Recognize my sin
Ask for forgiveness
Get up and brush the sinful dust off
Do better
And keep walking on in…
Romans 7:14-25. Forgiven not Flawless
I think the lesson here is to always remember that when we fall short of what both we and Christ want us to be, we should never forget those in the Bible who learned that lesson. I especially love Peter. He was always trying so hard and then making a huge mistake AND always being forgiven. We’ve learned through Peter we don’t have to be perfect (few people are). Christ accepts us as we are, but always wanting the best from us.
Prayer: Gracious God, I know there are many times I have asked forgiveness only to do the same things again. Help me remember you want better actions from me. AMEN
Monday, August 10th, 2026
Forgiven Not Flawless
(Focus:Those Who Do Not Feel Useful To Christ
Today’s Reading Romans 7:14-25
Romans 7:24-25
Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.
How quickly I discovered that no matter how hard I tried I could not do it by own will power. When I fail I feel frustrated because of my inability to do the good that God wants me to do. Maybe I should learn that he is my ability. He wants me to lean …
Romans 7: 14-25
Paul’s description of the relentless human battle with sin resonates with all who try to follow Jesus. Sin, a word not frequently uttered in modern pulpits, represents the potholes and obstacles on the road to sanctification. What I too frequently forget is that the battle belongs to the Lord. Paul reminds me, “Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!” When (not if, unfortunately) I fail, I am not cast aside. A truly repentant heart (and God will not be fooled or mocked), seeking forgiveness will be delivered. This is the ever-present emergency road service that gets me back on the path to sanctification. I may lose individual battles, but the work of…