"I don't understand myself at all, for I really want to do what is right, but I can't. I do what I don't want to - what I hate...When I want to do good, I don't; and when I try not to do wrong, I do it anyway....It seems to be a fact of life that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong...So you see how it is: my new life tells me to do right, but the old nature that is still inside me loves to sin. Oh, what a terrible predicament I'm in! Who will free me from my slavery to this deadly lower nature? Thank God! It has been done by Jesus Christ our Lord. He has set me free" (Romans 7:15,19,21,24,25).
Harry gave every indication of being a happy, joyful, fruitful Christian. He was active in every major event of the church and many large citywide Christian efforts. He always had a high visibility, and because of his extrovertive, outgoing personality he seemed to be a model Christian.
Then one day I saw the real Harry. He just blurted it out.
"I'm a hypocrite - miserable, defeated, frustrated. I've lived a lie and worn a mask all my life, never wanting to reveal my true self. But I need help. I'm seriously thinking of committing suicide. I just can't live the Christian life, no matter how hard I try."
As I began reading Romans 7:15-25, he said, "That is my biography, the story of my life. I've done everything I know to find victory - to live the Christian life as I know I'm supposed to live it. But everything fails for me no matter how hard I try."
I encouraged him to read on. Paul asks the question in the 25th verse, "Who will free me from my slavery to this deadly lower nature?" Then he answers that question by saying "Thank God! It has been done by Jesus Christ our Lord. He has set me free."
If you are living a carnal life, as described in Romans 7, you can be liberated to experience a full and abundant, victorious and fruitful life, as you by faith claim the fullness and power of the Holy Spirit day by day, moment by moment.
Today's Action Point
By faith, I will claim the power of the Holy Spirit to enable me to live the abundant, supernatural life that Jesus promised, so that I can bring glory to God by bearing much fruit.
