“WRETCHED MAN THAT I AM!”

Romans 7:13-25                                  (ESV)

“[13] Did that which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! IT WAS SIN, producing death in me through what is good, in order that SIN MIGHT BE SHOWN TO BE SIN, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure. [14] For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. [15] FOR I DO NOT UNDERSTAND MY OWN ACTIONS. FOR I DO NOT WHAT I WANT, BUT I DO THE VERY THING I HATE. [16] Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. [17] So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. [18] For I know THAT NOTHING GOOD DWELLS IN ME, that is, IN MY FLESH. For I have the desire to do what is RIGHT, BUT NOT THE ABILITY TO CARRY IT OUT. [19] For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. [20] Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but SIN THAT DWELLS WITHIN ME.

[21] So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. [22] For I delight in the law of GOD, in my inner being, [23] but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. [24] “WRETCHED MAN THAT I AM!” WHO will deliver me from this body of death? [25] 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.”

The Apostle Paul wasn’t a ignorant man.  He was “circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.” (Philippians 3:5-6).  Paul had more to say about himself though!  In the next verse (Philippians 3:7) he writes “But whatever gain I had, I COUNTED AS LOSS FOR THE SAKE OF CHRIST!”

Paul understood that humans are a complex Creations, CREATED by GOD IN HEAVEN.  Although he was a DIVINE CREATION, his body (earthly vessel) was constantly being attacked by “the enemy”, satan himself!  The “master of deception” hasn’t weakened nor changed, he is just as deceitful as he ever was.  Speaking just for me, unless I “stay in THE WORD” my VISION will become “flawed” by the cares of “this world” and that is precisely what I want to avoid!

The Apostle Paul understood that he was simply a “tool” (or mirror) where the GLORY OF GOD has the opportunity to reflect.  In Acts 9:15-16 JESUS HIMSELF said “…“Go, for he (Paul) is a chosen instrument of MINE to carry MY name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much “he must suffer for the sake of my name”.”  

GOD must have CREATED me to be a vessel where HE could display “THAT NOTHING GOOD DWELLS IN ME, that is, IN MY FLESH.”  My intentions are noble, but the results are FAR from what they should be!  “WRETCHED MAN THAT I AM” that the blood of the SPOTLESS LAMB OF GOD was paid for my sins?  The ONE WHO spoke these worlds into existence left HIS THRONE to suffer in “this world” so HE could purchase the “WRETCHED MAN THAT I AM!!!”