Our daily reflections follow the M'Cheyne Bible reading plan, designed for those who want to read the whole Bible in one year. Each reflection focuses on one of the chapters from that day's readings. Darllenwch rhain yn Gymraeg.
Lord, open my ears to hear what you have to say to me; open my heart to love your word, and open my mind to understand your truth.
There's no chapter in Paul's writing that has been discussed and argued over as much as Romans 7, and it's certainly complicated. But there are some straightforward truths here too. He says the Law 'made me know what sin is' (verse 7). It can be comfortable to live in a morality-free zone, where personal choice is the highest good. That's a familiar landscape today. Ideas like right and wrong, duty and responsibility make life a lot harder. We become aware of our failures and sins. That's why the Church is never popular when it's doing its job properly: 'She tells them of Life and Death, and of all that they would forget', T.S. Eliot said. And then we find that we're unable to match up to our ideals and ambitions. As societies and as individuals, we find ourselves drifting off track, knowing what we ought to do but unable to do it because we're fundamentally unwilling to do it (verse 19).
Here's where we get back to the message of the previous few chapters: the stranglehold of sin is broken by Christ's death, but it is still there waiting to pounce. It's Christ's resurrection life that lets us live freely and victoriously. Raised with him, we are no longer under the power of sin. The law – whether it's the Law of Moses or the moral law of our consciences – is a helpful guide rather than a tormentor. We can live at peace with God through living in the power of the risen Christ.
God, I'm sorry for the times I have failed you. Help me to realise that you have set me free from sin, and let me live for you in Christ's resurrection power.
This reflection was written by Mark Woods, Bible Society's Editor
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