I never gave much attention to it but the core of Paul's argument in the first few chapters of Romans regarding sin is actually our own judgments over sin. Our biggest problem is not that we openly sin but that we are so quick to condemn people who make the same mistakes that we do. This hypocritical attitude is what constitutes the core of our being and what is actually so much of an anathema to God. We not only cover up our own sins but we are so quick to find fault and uncover what we see in others; we almost never see it inside us, at least not immediately. We not only play the blame game but we actually think that we are better than the one who was just caught and exposed.
Surely man is a complex being but only because he has put layers of deception over his own life and it is almost impossible to unwrap them and see what is really inside. I use the word 'almost' because there is hope. The Holy Spirit is willing and wanting to peel them off one by one. We have to allow Him to do it. It is our only hope of greater glory. If we think we have it, we have lost it. It is a battle against all odds. But we have to win. The groanings of the Holy Spirit in us are not just for those 'other people'. Who will save me from the body of this death? It will happen when Christ Jesus truly becomes our Lord and Master (paraphrase of Romans 7:24,25).
Surely man is a complex being but only because he has put layers of deception over his own life and it is almost impossible to unwrap them and see what is really inside. I use the word 'almost' because there is hope. The Holy Spirit is willing and wanting to peel them off one by one. We have to allow Him to do it. It is our only hope of greater glory. If we think we have it, we have lost it. It is a battle against all odds. But we have to win. The groanings of the Holy Spirit in us are not just for those 'other people'. Who will save me from the body of this death? It will happen when Christ Jesus truly becomes our Lord and Master (paraphrase of Romans 7:24,25).
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