So, What is the answer?

So what is the answer?

²¹ So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. ²² For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; ²³ 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.²⁴ What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?²⁵ 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^[d] a slave to the law of sin. Romans 7:21-26,

Both hands raised saying “me too” in agreement with Paul’s dilemma of wanting to do right, but choosing wrong.  In fact, many people understand the struggle that Paul is expressing.  We all know that we should make wiser decisions, but we don’t.  So what is the answer?

Some have decided that the problem is with the laws or rules.  Breaking the rules brings a feeling of shame or guilt.  This is part of the purpose of the law.  It helps us see that we need help to overcome.  But, some have decided that the goal then is to change the laws, hence removing the guilt and shame.  For example, God’s law states that it is a sin to have homosexual or lesbian relationships, as well as adultery or fornication.  To remove guilt, there has been an intentional focus to redefine marriage based solely on not denying expressions of love.  If two people love each other, then no one should stop them from loving each other.  Except that God’s law remains the same regardless of political laws.  It is still sin.  Other expressions that want to change the law would be the saying “it’s not fair” or “that doesn’t apply to me”.  The goal is to try and remove guilt and responsibility of violating God’s laws by changing the legal laws.

Another way to people try to be free from the influence of laws is to discredit the law giver.  If the law giver is found to be unjust, then all the laws are also unjust.  If the law giver is partial, then it violates equality for all.  If there is no law giver (i.e. God does not exist), then all the laws are man made and invalid.  But God is real and His laws are good, righteous and just.

We know there is guilt and shame that every one has experienced.  The problem is the solution.  Counseling and self help ideas will not get to the root of the problem.  Only God’s solution of Jesus Christ works.  In order for God to be just, sin must receive its full punishment which is death.  Jesus death allowed for all of our sin to be paid in full.  Paul said that Jesus delivers us from this mess of sin.  There is NO other way to remove the guilt, shame, or consequences of our sinful behavior apart from Jesus Christ our redeemer.

Father, thank you for sending Jesus Christ to die in our place.  Thank you that you gave us a way to be free from the law of sin and death.  Thank you that your laws are good and just.  Thank you for loving us, even when we knowingly choose wrong.  You are a good God.So