Often, early in my faith journey, I felt the burden of the
battle for my soul. God called me to
righteousness, which is what I desired, but Satan deceitfully convinced me I
could be “holy” on my own. This
self-reliant attitude created a cycle of joyful “mountain-top” experiences when
I performed well, followed by “valleys” of guilt’s imprisonment when I didn’t
measure up to expectations. Somehow, I had
come to believe God only loved me when I was good. In Romans 7:7-8:17, Paul gives a thorough
explanation for this struggle between good and evil. I share Paul’s appreciation for God’s answer
to this conflict,
Thanks be to God –
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.
Therefore, there is
now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ
Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. Romans 7:25-8:2
Because of what has been done for me through Christ Jesus, I
am able to transform my thinking (see Romans 12:1-2). I am no longer naively open to accepting
Satan’s lies. Yes, I still struggle with
sin. But now, instead of self-reliance, I
humbly acknowledge my need for a savior.
The “law of the Spirit” gives me life.
I am no longer condemned. I am
redeemed.
Therefore, I feel victorious, not defeated. I have been forgiven. I choose to serve God out of a motivation of
joy and conviction, rather than guilt and merit. I choose to obey God… living in a way that
honors His name. I am confident and
hopeful of His saving grace.
I’ve been
set free!
Carl Smith
Stephenville, Texas
