Lingering Condition

Romans 7:24
24 Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?

One of the most exciting feelings in the world is starting something new that could change life for the better. A home improvement project, diet, exercise plan, job, or any other goal or aspiration we have. What happens to many of us is that we get into it and realize it’s harder than we thought, we can’t complete the task, or it isn’t what we thought it was going to be.

In this passage, Paul is dealing with our lingering condition of sin as believers. He expresses the tension of knowing what is right but having competing desires to obey Christ and yet still sin. This is known by theologians as the already/not-yet reality. It is important to understand three aspects of our salvation: justification, sanctification, and glorification. We as believers have been justified. The work of the cross is finished, and all who trust in Christ are in right standing with God. In Christ, we have been saved from the penalty of sin. Now, as believers, we are in the process of being sanctified. A process of learning to overcome sin and become like Christ daily through dying to ourselves and living by the Spirit. In Christ, we are being saved from the power of sin. In the future, we as believers will be glorified. We will enter the presence of the Lord, and we will be at rest. Sin will be no more. In Christ, we will be saved from the presence of sin.

These three truths cannot be separated from one another as it is the assurance of our sin penalty paid, and the future hope of the presence of sin being abolished that gives us strength to continue our struggle against sin today. In Romans 7:25 Paul answers his question saying, “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” The recognition of our wretchedness is not the end of the story but our recognition of Jesus as our great Deliverer. Do not lose hope in your battle against sin. You are not a home project that will stay unfinished forever nor a diet that will never get the results you long for. Knowing our sinfulness and having no answer puts us right where God wants us to be. Take heart and know Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

What specific struggles or challenges am I facing in my daily battle against sin, and how can I rely on Christ as my Deliverer?

How does the assurance of no condemnation in Christ impact my perspective on past failures and the journey ahead?


Father, I know I am a wretched sinner. May the assurance of what you have done and the hope of what you will do give me strength to wage war against my sin today. Help me by the power of your Holy Spirit not to give out, give up, or give in. Jesus, you are my deliverance. Amen.