Scripture to Read: Romans 7:8
As we continue to walk through Romans 7, we see God pointing out how our sinful nature is awakened by His perfect Law. God had Paul write in Romans 7:8, But sin, taking opportunity through the commandment, produced in me coveting of every kind; for apart from the Law sin is dead. Now, it sounds like God’s Law actually produces in us our sinful nature. But that is definitely not true. God’s Law simply awakens what already exists within us. Notice that God’s Word even says that our sinful nature took the opportunity through the commandment. Does that mean that if God had never given us His Law that our sinful nature would have remained dormant? Absolutely not! We read in Genesis 3 how the sin-nature was awakened in Eve and Adam when they bought Satan's lie, took from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and sinned against God. We also read in Genesis 4 how Cain’s sin-nature of selfishness and pride was awakened, and he murdered by killing his brother Abel. The Law of God did not come until God gave His Law to Moses 2,400 to 2,500 years later. But we clearly see throughout the book of Genesis how people’s sin-nature was awakened, and people sinned against God and each other. God uses Paul to show us that our sinful nature is very much alive and that there is no way for us to overcome our sinful nature apart from a relationship with Christ. Let’s share Christ so others may know they have hope through Him.
Challenge & Application
What did God teach you today about your sinful nature that you did not know before?
How will you share God’s Truth this week with others and help them see that Christ is their only hope to overcome?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!