"O Wretched Man "
copyright David Brandon, 3/8/08
Romans 7:24 "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?"
Hi friends,
Praise God, fellow believers, Jesus paid our sin debt in full, and we stand before Him as the Lord Jesus Christ, perfect and unblemished. Amen.
Were I to stop here everyone would be happy. However, the truth is that when Paul wrote Romans 7:24 he did so in the present tense. The Greek says, "Talaiporos eggo anthropos,"which means "wretched man I," or "I am wretched." Why would the apostle to whom the mystery of Jesus Christ was most fully revealed refer to himself as wretched?
Not too long ago I heard a well-known preacher say that Paul really meant to show us how he felt early on in his Christian walk; that he had long since passed seeing himself as wretched but wanted us to know what he had gone through. I do not believe this. If Paul had meant to say he was once wretched but was no longer that is what he would have said.
The notion that we should still think of ourselves as wretched is very unpopular. Paul, however, had no lofty illusions. Although he was the "new man," as much and possibly more than any person who has lived since, he knew his flesh was still alive. It may have been crucified with the Lord on the Cross, but that crucifixion was ongoing until the day he was executed by Nero.
Paul was a real man with fleshly desires just like you or I. In that light the words which open his epistle to the Romans are all the more remarkable: "Paul a servant of Jesus Christ." The Greek for servant, "doulos," literally means "slave." So the verse literally reads, "Paul, slave of Jesus Christ." That is how he identified himself. Who but a slave would submit himself to receiving thirty-nine lashes more than once, being stoned, or standing at the executioners chopping block.
Are we as much slaves of Christ as Paul? Can we live on a plane with the man who called himself "wretched."
The "new man" in Christ will not take total possession of any of us until we die. For the time being the Holy Spirit has given us the capability to overcome our sin nature. That does not mean it is completely overturned. If it were this Christian walk would be no challenge. But it is a challenge and sometimes our flesh gets the best of us. There are occasions in which something catches us by surprise and makes react in an intemperate way.
When this happens the Father still sees us as righteous. The Lord's sacrifice has covered us. But how will Jesus see us the day we stand before Him at the Bema seat? He will not see Himself only, as the Father does. Our imperfections will not be cloaked with the shield of His holiness. So it is incumbent upon us to make every effort to be His slave; to live for and like Him. And it is vital we recognize our weaknesses and repent each time we slip so we lose none of our heavenly rewards. Remember, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)
Therefore, even with the Lord's covering we must confess our own wretchedness (our falling short of perfection) albeit we have improved over our past conversation (sinful lifestyle). How wonderful that the improvement never stops so long as we keep our eyes firmly fixed upon the Savior for whom we live. Glory beckons, friends. But it is always before us as the shining light on the horizon just before a glorious sunrise. We are pilgrims who try to stay on the straight and narrow as we would a tightrope. Jesus is the net beneath us.
Love, Your brother in Christ,
David
When you reach the end of your rope
you will find the hem of His garment.
I have often felt that many things that bring us to our knees,
teach us while we are down there to learn to pray.
These possibilities are open to everyone.
Don't tell God you are not good enough, do what He asks.
Don't tell God to send someone else, He asked you.
Don't tell God you don't have time to pray, He said seek me first.
Don't neglect the things of God. He said we are to
pick up His cross daily and follow Him.
Don't tell God anything is bigger than His ability.
God is the Great I Am, I am whatever you need.
There is no pit so deep, God's love is not deeper still.
Not my will but thine oh Lord.
´°`·.,¸¸,.·´°`·.,¸¸,.·´°`·.,¸¸,.·°°´·.,¸¸,.·´°`·.,¸¸,.·´°`·.,¸¸,.·´°
Happy moments, praise God.
Difficult moments, seek God.
Quiet moments, worship God.
Painful moments, trust God.
Every moment, thank God
Free Forum Hosting
Important Announcement
First 