Reference

Romans 7:14-25

SCRIPTURE

Romans 7:14-25 NIV

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.

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MAIN IDEA

You can’t rescue you - but God can.

SUMMARY POINTS

Sometimes we are our own worst enemies.  

Often the greatest damage done to ourselves is by ourselves.  

 No one keeps the standard perfectly.

It is when we see ourselves both as something and as nothing, valued and wretched, at the very same time, that we are in a posture of being able to receive the pathway out from self-destruction.  

 Someone other than you, needs to rescue you 

 You can’t rescue you - but God can.

CALL TO ACTION

Surrender your life over to Jesus today, whether you are a follower of Jesus or not. You can pray:

Father God, thank you that you love me and value me. I admit I am a wretched person. I am a sinner. And I need rescuing. Would you forgive me of my sin and give me life, making me a child of yours. Thank you for sending Jesus to die on the cross for my sin, and I put my faith in him now. I believe in Jesus as my savior and Lord. So, today, I commit my life to follow you. Amen.