6 Minute Read + Scripture readings
Today’s Bible Reading:
Today’s Bible Verse(s):
“So now I am no longer the one doing it, but it is sin living in me.”
Romans 7:17 (CSB)
Reflections on Today’s Bible Verse(s):
I love the old hymns. I love them not only for the old melodies that can spark powerful feelings of nastolgia, I also like them for their rich theology.
But, just because a song is old doesn’t mean it’s biblically correct. Some of them are in desperate need of editing.
One such hymn that needs to have a line edited is: “Alas, and Did My Savior Bleed.” The first verse says this:
Alas, and did my Savior bleed? (So far, so good)
And did my Sovereign die? (Still good)
Would He devote that sacred head (That’s fine, too)
For such a worm as I? (What?! That’s not biblical!)
While we must maintain our humility before Almighty God, we aren’t worms. Instead, we are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27), flawed as we are.
So, here’s another question for you. If you are saved, are you a rotten sinner? Your answer had better be a resounding, “No!”
If I asked you if you sinned, you would have to honestly answer “yes” but you aren’t a sinner if you are saved. You are the “righteousness of Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 5:1-11). You are a “new creation.” You have been born again.”
You aren’t a sinner anymore! You are now a righteous person who sins.
Now, listen to what Paul said in the verse I have chosen for today. Listen to who (or what) he credits with the fact that he stills sins.
Romans 7:15–17 (CSB): “For I do not understand what I am doing, because I do not practice what I want to do, but I do what I hate. Now if I do what I do not want to do, I agree with the law that it is good. So now I am no longer the one doing it, but it is sin living in me.”
When we sin, it’s not us. It is the sin principle that dwells within us, that sin nature that will be eradicated when we arrive in our heavenly home.
So, friend, do you sin? Of course you do!
Will you struggle with sin until the day you die? Yep!
But, dear friend, is it you who sinned when you sin? Not really. It really isn’t you who were motivated to do that thing. It’s the sin nature within you.
It sounds like we’re splitting hairs but the way this plays out is so important. If you believe you are a sinner, ever after Jesus declared you clean and said you are no longer under condemnation, then you are living in the past. You are insisting on living like who you were before you met Jesus.
But, if you have received Jesus’ free gift of forgiveness/eternal life, then realize that you are brand new. There is a new nature within you that despises sin and feels horribly convicted when you do engage in sin. That’s the real you.
So, the message of Christianity is this:
Act like who you are. You are righteous in Christ so act like it.
* * * * * * * * * *
Lord Jesus, I realize that I was born again when I was saved. I became a brand new creation. I was declared to be forgiven and righteous because of You. So, help me to continually read my Bible to understand even more clearly who I am in You. Then, help me to live like who I am in You. Amen.
Matt’s Musings 