Good morning,

Romans 8 takes us from the cradle to the grave. It begins declaring “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus,”, salvation and ends declaring “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, ³⁹ Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”, everlasting life. In-between Paul addresses the battle between the Spirit and the flesh, promises to the believer, the Holy Spirit’s ministry, and the four things God has done for us.

Romans 8:14-27 tells us of the promises God has given us. He has allowed us to be adopted, joint heirs with Christ, receive redeemed bodies, and the intercession of the Holy Spirit on our behalf.

Believers are Joint Heirs with Christ (8:14-17)

¹⁴ For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. ¹⁵ For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. ¹⁶ The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: ¹⁷ And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Mortal Bodies wait Resurrection Glory (8:18-25)

¹⁸ For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. ¹⁹ For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. ²⁰ For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, ²¹ Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. ²² For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. ²³ And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. ²⁴ For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? ²⁵ But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

Holy Spirit Prays with Us and For Us (8:26-27)

²⁶ Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. ²⁷ And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

One choice has literally changed our present and future destinies. No longer are we bound for a devil’s hell but our condemnation has been taken away, we become children of God, joint heirs with Christ, awaiting a redeemed body, Heaven, never to be separated from Jesus, the Holy Spirit helping us and praying for our needs. We are blessed individuals.

Meditate on all that God has done for us through His Son Jesus Christ. Thank Him for the opportunity to serve Him here on earth and then in Heaven. Share this life changing Good News with others.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

Romans 8 takes us from the cradle to the grave. It begins declaring “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus,”, salvation and ends declaring “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, ³⁹ Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”, everlasting life. In-between Paul addresses the battle between the Spirit and the flesh, promises to the believer, the Holy Spirit’s ministry, and the four things God has done for us.

Romans 8:1-13 tell us about our new life in Christ.

1. No Condemnation to those in Christ Jesus (8:1-4)

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. ² For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.³ For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: ⁴ That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

2. Spirit-led or Carnally minded (8:5-13)

⁵ For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. ⁶ For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. ⁷ Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. ⁸ So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. ⁹ But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. ¹⁰ And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. ¹¹ But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. ¹² Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. ¹³ For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

Jesus’ payment for our sin debt “…hath made me free from the law of sin and death.”  Our salvation was purchased by Jesus blood on the cross and His resurrection from the grave.

However, we must then make a choice whom to follow, the flesh or the Spirit of God. The flesh does not please God and results in death. The Spirit filled life results in life and peace.

What should our choice be?

Tomorrow we will look at promises God declares to us.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning, 

In light of the Hamas invasion of Israel, this week we will look at other groups who tried and failed to exterminate the Jewish people. Then focus on why Israel has a God given claim to the land. 

Today, we see that God chose Israel. In light of that and the command of Scripture, we should be praying for the peace of Jerusalem.

God chooses Israel 

“For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth.” (Deuteronomy 14:2) 

“For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure.⁵ For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods. ⁶ Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.” (Psalm 135:4-6) 

“For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.⁷ The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people: ⁸ But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. ⁹ Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations; ¹⁰ And repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will not be slack to him that hateth him, he will repay him to his face.” (Deuteronomy 7:6-10) 

Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem 

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. ⁷ Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.⁸ For my brethren and companions’ sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee. ⁹ Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek thy good.”  (Psalm 122:6-9) 

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com 

Good morning, 

In light of the Hamas invasion of Israel, this week we will look at other groups who tried and failed to exterminate the Jewish people. Then focus on why Israel has a God given claim to the land. 

Today, we will look at the Abrahamic covenant. God gave blessings and land to Abraham and his seed.

Abrahamic Covenant 

The Lord will… 

“Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee:² And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:³ And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.” (Genesis 12:1-3) 

“And the angel of the Lord called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time,¹⁶ And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: ¹⁷ That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;¹⁸ And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.” (Genesis 22:15-18) 

Land Covenant 

“And the Lord said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward:¹⁵ For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.¹⁶ And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered.¹⁷ Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee.” (Genesis 13:14-17) 

“In the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:¹⁹ The Kenites, and the Kenizzites, and the Kadmonites,²⁰ And the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Rephaims,²¹ And the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Girgashites, and the Jebusites.” (Genesis 15:18-21) 

“And Moses went up from the plains of Moab unto the mountain of Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, that is over against Jericho. And the Lord shewed him all the land of Gilead, unto Dan,² And all Naphtali, and the land of Ephraim, and Manasseh, and all the land of Judah, unto the utmost sea,³ And the south, and the plain of the valley of Jericho, the city of palm trees, unto Zoar.⁴ And the Lord said unto him, This is the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, saying, I will give it unto thy seed: I have caused thee to see it with thine eyes, but thou shalt not go over thither.⁵ So Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the Lord.” (Deuteronomy 34:1-5) 

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com 

Good morning, 

In light of the Hamas invasion of Israel, this week we will look at groups who tried and failed to exterminate the Jewish people. Then focus on why Israel has a God given claim to the land. 

Today, we will look at HAMAS. When they invaded Israel on 7 October, 2023, they killed, raped, pillaged, and to death God’s chosen people, Israel. Their violence was pure evil. The messengers of Satan.

Hamas 

The Hamas massacre that took place over the weekend was not the result of decades of “occupation.” Israel left Gaza in 2005, uprooting families and wrenching the country into an impassioned debate along the way. Not a settler, nor single IDF soldier, nor any type of Israeli personnel has remained in the Gaza Strip.  

No, this massacre was a function of hate—the kind of toxic intolerance in its purest form. 

It was years in the making, and just as it took sophisticated military and logistical planning, it also took years of ideological planting—sowing seeds of antisemitism. Indeed, one cannot look at what Hamas did without understanding their thinking about Jews. 

Hamas and its co-conspirators in the Muslim world had been vilifying Jews for decades, starting with their founding charter, which is full of antisemitic bile. They constructed an entire architecture of antisemitism that spanned the world and spanned spheres from academia to religion, politics and culture. There were many people who should have been pushing for a just resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but instead had adopted an ideology of hate that did not see Jews as worthy of a piece of land or even as equal contestants in a historical struggle. It saw them as subhuman. 

From the pulpits of mosques to the pages of op-eds to the stands of bookstores across the Arab world, the Protocols of the Elders of Zion, Hitler’s Mein Kampf and other timeless fictions and hateful works were peddled, updated, and perfected to the point that large swathes of the public stopped seeing Zionists or Israelis or Jews as human long ago. School children are taught to hate Israel, Jews are demonized as part of official curriculum, and “summer camps” involve learning how to fire automatic weapons and kidnap Israelis. 

And this is how the massacre took place.  

A world in which you see an entire tribe of people as lesser—as roaches, as vermin—this is how you justify gunning down hundreds of unarmed teenagers at a concert, how you rationalize men going house to house and murdering parents at point blank range in front of their children, how you legitimize intentionally setting houses on fire with infirm, elderly people trapped inside, unable to escape; how you explain kidnapping toddlers still not old enough to speak and mocking them in front of the camera; how you excuse desecrating corpses, stepping on their faces while grinning for the camera. 

This is not normal, not by any standards. 

However, it is normal in a historical context. There have been other times over the centuries where one people saw the other as anything but human. From Europeans and American slave traders who enslaved the people of an entire continent, to genocides in Rwanda and Cambodia, and, of course, in Nazi Germany. (Jonathan A. Greenblatt, CEO and National Director of the Anti-Defamation League) 

Hamas will not succeed. God has the nation of Israel’s back.  

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com 

Good morning, 

In light of the Hamas invasion of Israel, this week we will look at other groups who tried and failed to exterminate the Jewish people. Then focus on why Israel has a God given claim to the land. Today, we look at Nazi Germany. Six million Jews were killed, but not eradicated. They live today in their own land as free people.

Nazi Germany 

The Holocaust was the genocide of European Jews during World War II. Between 1941 and 1945, Nazi Germany and its collaborators systematically murdered some six million Jews across German-occupied Europe, around two-thirds of Europe’s Jewish population. The murders were carried out primarily through mass shootings and poison gas in extermination camps, chiefly Auschwitz-Birkenau, Treblinka, Belzec, Sobibor, and Chełmno in occupied Poland. 

The Nazis developed their ideology based on racism and pursuit of “living space” and seized power in early 1933. In an attempt to force all German Jews to emigrate, the regime passed anti-Jewish laws and orchestrated a nationwide pogrom in November 1938. After Germany invaded Poland in September 1939, occupation authorities began to establish ghettos to segregate Jews. Following the invasion of the Soviet Union in June 1941, around 1.5 to 2 million Jews were shot by German forces and local collaborators. 

Later in 1941 or early 1942, the highest levels of the German government decided to murder all Jews throughout Europe. Victims were deported by rail to extermination camps where, if they survived the journey, most were killed with poison gas. Other Jews continued to be employed in forced labor camps where many died from starvation, abuse or exhaustion or used as test subjects in deadly medical experiments. Although many Jews tried to escape, surviving in hiding was very difficult due to factors such as the lack of money to pay helpers and the risk of denunciation. The property, homes, and jobs belonging to murdered Jews were redistributed to the German occupiers and other non-Jews. Although the majority of Holocaust victims died in 1942, the killing continued at a lower rate until the end of the war in May 1945. Not all victims were Jews however, with millions killed for ethnic and ideological associations. (en.wikipedia.org) 

The Nazi’s were not able to eradicate the Jews. Their thousand-year Reich lasted 12 years.  

On a personal note, my mother was born in Czechoslovakia in 1919. She was Jewish. She was the only one of her family who escaped. Her family, my grandparents, uncles, aunts, were all executed in the extermination camps. 

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com 

Good morning, 

In light of the Hamas invasion of Israel, this week we will look at other groups who tried and failed to exterminate the Jewish people. Then focus on why Israel has a God given claim to the land. 

Haman 

Haman desired all the Jews of his time to be slain. The book of Esther, chapters 3-9, tells his story. 

Haman: The king’s vizier (chief adviser). Haman wants everyone in the kingdom to bow down to him, but Mordechai refuses. This leads Haman to decide to kill all the Jews, and he convinces the king to allow the plan. Only the intervention of Esther prevents Haman from carrying out his plan, and Haman is instead hung on the gallows he had erected for Mordechai. 

Haman is one of the most villainous characters in Jewish history. A greedy, vengeful, and vicious advisor to King Ahasuerus, he only seeks to increase his own wealth, power and influence (generally at the expense of everyone else around him). Haman is also said to be a direct descendant of Agag, king of the Amalekites. The Amalekites attacked the Israelites as they were leaving Egypt and have become symbolic of all the enemies of the Jewish people, so for Haman to be related to Agag connects him directly to centuries of violence and persecution of the Jews. (ReformJudaism.org) 

The Book of Esther tells the tale of the rich and powerful, the weak and powerless, and the sovereignty of God. It gives us a clear picture of an anti-Semite, Haman, bent on destroying the Jews. It shows the courage of a young Jewish girl, Esther, who gave up everything to save her people the Jews. It shines a light on the wise Counsel of Mordecai.  

What a great story. Although God is not named in the text, God is in every event. God allows all the plot lines to fit His will and purposes. We serve a great God! 

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com 

Good morning,

Romans 7 teaches about the law. Specifically, the law no longer has dominion over the believer in Christ; the law was instrumental in bringing us to Christ, and the current battle between the law and grace.

The spiritual conflicts between corruption and grace in a believer. (7:14-25)

THE PROBLEM (7:14-17)

¹⁴ For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. ¹⁵ For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. ¹⁶ If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. ¹⁷ Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

“The conflict Paul felt is universal among Christians—the pull of the flesh against the Spirit, of the old man against the new.” (v 14) (The Rice Study Bible, 1981, Dr. John R. Rice, D.D., Litt. D., S.T.D., pg. 1217) 

The problem is sin dwelleth in us.

THE CONFLICT (7:18-22)

¹⁸ For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: or to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. ¹⁹ For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. ²⁰ Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.²¹ I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. ²² For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:

Each day we battle right versus wrong. It is our desire to do good, but sometimes we choose to do wrong. We know that we are saved individuals because we delight in the law of God. the unsaved do not care about God.

THE SOLUTION (7:23-25)

²³ But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. ²⁴ O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? ²⁵ I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

We must realize that this battle is real and waged by the forces of evil. Ephesians 6:10-12 states, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. ¹² For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

The solution is Jesus Christ who died for our sin, was buried, and rose from the dead. Jesus won the victory over sin and death. So have we. When we sin, and we will, we repent of our sin and move on.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

Romans 7 teaches about the law. Specifically, the law no longer has dominion over the believer in Christ; the law was instrumental in bringing us to Christ, and the current battle between the law and grace.

Why was the Law important in bringing Paul to salvation? Does God denounce the Law? What was the purpose of the Law?

The use and excellence of the law (7:7-13)

⁷ What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. ⁸ But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead. ⁹ For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. ¹⁰ And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death. ¹¹ For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me. ¹² Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. ¹³ Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.

“Each child, before coming to know God’s Law and God’s commands, is kept safe until he does wrong and knows wrong. First Corinthians 15:22 indicates all the sin one inherits from Adam is cared for by the death of Christ, but known and recognized sin is forgiven only as one comes to trust in Christ. A person who perfectly kept all the commandments of God would have earned salvation (cf. 10:5, Lev. 18:5); but since all are fallen, tainted, and depraved, no one has ever been able to keep the commandments (cf. Acts 15:10)” (v7, 9) (The Rice Study Bible, 1981, Dr. John R. Rice, D.D., Litt. D., S.T.D., pg. 1217)

Paul would not have known what sin is without the Law. So the Law pointed out Paul’s sin. It is the same today. No one can keep the Law. Only Jesus was able to do that. When we see our sin and the Holy Spirit convicts of our sin, then we must decide whether to forsake our sin or continue to disobey God.

As we have stated before, the consequences are life or death.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

ROMANS 7

But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter. (7:6)

Believers are united to Christ, that they may bring forth fruit unto God. (7:1-6)

Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? ² For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. ³ So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man. ⁴ Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. ⁵ For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. ⁶ But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

What fruit are we bringing forth? Does our daily conduct and manner of living exemplify that we are believers in Christ? Are we continually maturing in our walk with the Lord? As we minister to others, are people coming to know Christ, coming to church, and growing in their relationship with God?

Is our service out of love for our Savior or a requirement we must fulfill? Is going to church an opportunity to worship, pray, serve, and be challenged by the Holy Spirit of God to grow spiritually?

Meditate on these questions. Allow God to speak to you. Follow His lead and move forward!

The use and excellence of the law (7:7-13)

⁷ What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. ⁸ But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead. ⁹ For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. ¹⁰ And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death. ¹¹ For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me. ¹² Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. ¹³ Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.

“Each child, before coming to know God’s Law and God’s commands, is kept safe until he does wrong and knows wrong. First Corinthians 15:22 indicates all the sin one inherits from Adam is cared for by the death of Christ, but known and recognized sin is forgiven only as one comes to trust in Christ.A person who perfectly kept all the commandments of God would have earned salvation (cf. 10:5, Lev. 18:5); but since all are fallen, tainted, and depraved, no one has ever been able to keep the commandments (cf. Acts 15:10)”(v 9-10) (The Rice Study Bible, 1981, Dr. John R. Rice, D.D., Litt. D., S.T.D., pg. 1217)

Paul would not have known what sin is without the Law. So the Law pointed out Paul’s sin. It is the same today. No one can keep the Law. Only Jesus was able to do that. When we see our sin and the Holy Spirit convicts of our sin, then we must decide whether to forsake our sin or continue to disobey God.

As we have stated before, the consequences are life or death.

The spiritual conflicts between corruption and grace in a believer. (7:14-25)

THE PROBLEM (7:14-17)

¹⁴ For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. ¹⁵ For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. ¹⁶ If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. ¹⁷ Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

“The conflict Paul felt is universal among Christians—the pull of the flesh against the Spirit, of the old man against the new.” (v 14) (The Rice Study Bible, 1981, Dr. John R. Rice, D.D., Litt. D., S.T.D., pg. 1217)

The problem is sin dwelleth in us.

THE CONFLICT (7:18-22)

 ¹⁸ For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: or to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. ¹⁹ For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. ²⁰ Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.²¹ I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. ²² For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:

Each day we battle right versus wrong. It is our desire to do good, but sometimes we choose to do wrong. We know that we are saved individuals because we delight in the law of God. The unsaved do not care about God.

THE SOLUTION (7:23-25)

²³ But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. ²⁴ O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? ²⁵ I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

We must realize that this battle is real and waged by the forces of evil. Ephesians 6:10-12 states, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. ¹² For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

The solution is Jesus Christ who died for our sin, was buried, and rose from the dead. Jesus won the victory over sin and death. So have we. When we sin, and we will, we repent of our sin and move on.

CONCLUSION

• We are dead to the law
• We are married to Jesus Christ
• We know we are sinners by the Law
• We learn that the Law is holy
• We delight in the Lord
• We sin
• We know that there is a war between the flesh and the Spirit
• We know that Jesus delivers us from the body of death

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com