By Dr. Dianne Coflin, Co-Pastor, River of Life Church
Someone asked me the other day, “Am I ever going to change?” I had to laugh, not because I think this person was trying to be funny, quite the opposite, they were frustrated. However, I recalled the scripture that the great apostle Paul wrote, when he said in Romans 7:21 “I have discovered this principle of life – that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong.” This was a surprising statement coming from Paul. He too, was expressing his frustration much like my friend was, “Am I ever going to change?” I told her she was in good company.
Paul discovered as we read in this chapter and the next, how much he loved God’s Word, but at the same time, struggled with his desire to change. In Romans 7:22-23, he states, “I love God’s law…but there is another power that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to sin that is still within me.” Then he asks a question after stating what he felt made him miserable. “Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death?” Paul was genuinely sincere in his frustration and powerless struggle. However, he made a discovery and there are two points that I want to bring out in his statements from the scriptures.
First, Romans 7:25 answers the question as to who will free him from his sin, “Thank God, the answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord.” Paul had discovered the way to victory. What was it about Jesus Christ that Paul was so excited about? He states that the old covenant law proved mankind was unable to obey because of their sinful nature, and he points out in Romans 8:3 “…So God did what the law could not do. He sent His own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins.”
He did this so that we no longer have to follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Holy Spirit who now lives within us when we receive Jesus as our Savior. No wonder Paul was excited because He discovered that Jesus was the answer and always will be, yesterday, today, and forever!
Secondly, Paul recognized that there was a war with his mind. He recognized another aspect of his struggle that needed to be dealt with. Why is this important? Because he realized his mind struggled with evil thoughts, and imaginations that had a powerful effect on him, making him feel like a slave to sin.
In Romans 8:6 it says, “So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.” Paul had discovered two guiding principles, not only his need for Jesus Christ as his Savior, but the power available for him to change through the Holy Spirit. He learned about what God had provided for him. Notice I said learned, which involves a process of acquiring knowledge and putting into practice those things you’ve learned.
Paul would later write in Romans 12:1-2 “… I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you…and let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think….” He was referring to the powerful ability the Word of God has to transform our thinking. Would this be a key to help Paul win the war on his mind? Paul was expressing his gratitude to the Lord for this discovery for his victory that truly showed him, yes, he could change.
Please know that God provides hope and power to change us all through a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus and the power of His Holy Spirit through the incredible Word of God. There is never a struggle too hard for Him. If you need to take that step today, He’s always waiting ready to be your answer and reveal His love.
Dr. Dianne Coflin Co-Pastor River of Life Church. Services are 10:30am Sunday and 7:00pm Wednesday. Childcare provided. We would love to have you come visit!