2022_07_29 Insight Post- Marcy Fleurima
This week’s reading- Romans 7-8
I have a confession: Life has been so crazy for me for the last few months. After going through another coast to coast move, this time to a house that needs a full renovation, I’ve been a bit overwhelmed. I spent 5 weeks back home with family while waiting for our “stuff” to arrive at the new house. Upon my return, I pulled into the driveway as the moving truck drove out. I walked into a house full of boxes and demolition/construction. All of me wanted to get back in the car and drive away until it was all fixed and in order. When I offered to write this post, I had all kinds of thoughts I was fighting. Let’s see if any of them are familiar to you: “Who am I to do this? I haven’t even read the Bible in weeks! In fact, I don’t even know where the one I wanted to read from is! God won’t possibly show me anything in His word that would be useful since I haven’t had my life together lately. I have nothing to offer anyone else at this moment.” Maybe this is just me, but I’m thinking this kind of self talk is familiar to many of us.
I sat down at the table with a cup of coffee and my phone (so I could read the text since my Bible was packed…) and started praying that God would forgive me for being absent all these weeks. I prayed He would show up in His word and asked Him to welcome me back into His sweet presence that I’ve been missing all these weeks. I heard Him speak to me, “There’s no condemnation in Christ.”
As I began reading, imagine my delight when the both chapters spoke to the way I felt moments earlier. Paul reminded me in Romans 7:16, “we can serve God, not in the old way of obeying the letter of the law, but in the new way of living in the spirit.” Then continues in vs. 14-25 about the struggle with sin. This part resonated with me so much as Paul clearly states we all struggle with sin. We know what to do but don’t do it. Or, we know what is right and don’t do it. Or, we want to do good, but don’t. How true is this?! I sure hope I’m not alone in this daily battle. Paul reminds us there is a battle and he says, “Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 7:25)”
After continuing to chapter 8, I had another delightful moment as I read, “there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.” The same words He spoke to me moments earlier are the words I would be studying this week. It moved me. I know the Word of God is alive and active and sharper than a two edged sword…but when it jumps at you like this, you can’t help but know and believe how much our Father in Heaven is crazy about us. He loves us beyond comprehension. He knows about my last few months and nothing has surprised him. He has been gentle with me and has not condemned me for not prioritizing Him and His word. He hasn’t punished me for partnering with fear and overwhelm over faith and peace. And I’m so thankful (8:2) that because I belong to Him, the power of the life giving Spirit has freed me from the power of sin that leads to death and I can let the Spirit control my mind which leads to life and peace (8:6).
Romans 8 shows us how to deal with the sin we are all in bondage to. Paul shows us how our life in Christ can free us with the guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit. We can’t ignore our sin! He doesn’t condemn it if we turn to him for forgiveness and help! God doesn’t want us to be stuck in the sin cycle. The Holy Spirit will help us in our weakness and will help us pray to Our Father. Let’s learn to surrender and deal with our sin and listen to the precious gift of the Holy Spirit. Paul reminds us that NOTHING (no sin—not even your worst) can separate us from God and that overwhelming victory is ours through Christ (8:37).
**If you feel like you’re stuck in a cycle of sin and are tired of listening to the lies we tell ourselves, I’d love to invite you to check out this amazing ministry New Hope offers that has helped me tremendously. You can learn to deal with these things and will gain tools to use daily in your walk with the Lord. You will learn how to walk with Freedom in Christ. It is called Unbound and you can find out more by emailing unbound@newhope.org