Struggle. Scripture, reflection and prayer.

Romans 7:14-25
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We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me 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.

Reflection. OK, quite a long passage, but one which resonates. Which of us as never thought, 'I wish I hadn't done that or said that.' We want to do or say the right thing, yet find ourselves tripping up. St Paul knew and understood that all too well. He wants and wills to be a slave to the Law of God, but fails time and time again. However, he also knows another wonderful truth: he has a rescuer. And we have that same rescuer. 'Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!'

Prayer. Lord Jesus, thank you for rescuing me. Amen.