Wednesday after Judica, 4/4/01Romans 7:17 So now, no longer am I the one doing it (sinning) but sin which indwells me. --NASB
In the name of the One Who forgives our sins, amen.
This little piece of Scripture explains some real theological difficulties. For example, we read in one place that a new creature in Christ doesn't sin, and in another place we read that if we say we have no sin the truth is not in us. Well, according to Saint Paul, when a Christian sins it isn't the Christian sinning as such, but the sin within him.
Another thing this passage explains is how Christ could be born of a sinful human mother and be without sin. In other words, how could Christ be like us in every way but not at least have original sin? Christ didn't have original sin because sin is not part of what it means to be a human being. It is much more like a hereditary disease.
>From the time we came to faith we have been free of the disease, though the virus is still in us. When Christ returns in glory, He will remove the virus from us, and neither we, nor the sin living in us, will ever sin again. Amen.
Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, blessed are You for becoming sin for us so that we could be free of sin. Keep us in the True Faith by Your Spirit so that we may always thank and praise You for Your great mercy and grace, amen.