Sinful nature vs. life of Spirit... Round 2
We referenced the God-breathed message of Romans 7. Boy, do I feel like I can relate with that passage lately. "I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out." Nasty sin nature! I wish I could have a surgery to remove it!
I want to follow Christ. To live in Him. To live for Him. Why do I still struggle in some areas? It is so frustrating sometimes! I want to be His servant.
"So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin."
I love Romans 12. [This is one I have taped somewhere in the house.] It says, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." That's what I need. A renewing of my mind. Is that a daily thing? Like taking up my cross? Or should it be a once and for all thing? Because right now, I'm feeling like it needs to be a daily thing.
Simultaneously, though, my mind, a slave to God's law, conflicts with my sin nature.
I think it's interesting how Romans 7:25 talks about being a slave to God's law. Then, 8:1-2 talk about being free thanks to the law of the Spirit.
Hmm... More to come, I'm sure.
P.S. I decided to study the Old Testament since I haven't done a great job of it thus far. I'm starting at the beginning. I'm trying to go through it in a meaningful way, writing down my thoughts, interesting information, or questions along the way... I'll probably blog about that every so often too. I don't have a timeline since I've been trying to read through in a meaningful way. It'd be nice to get through in a year, though. Is that too much time to give myself? I will say that I started on Saturday, and I am already to Genesis 8. We'll see how long this project lasts.