Unashamed Reading Plan
Check out all the previous Unashamed readings here.
Unashamed Reading Plan | Week 7 | Day 3
Prayer
Take a moment to be silent and still. In order to be fully present in body and mind, take a deep breath in and let it out slowly. Do this three times. Pray that God would open your eyes to wonderful things from His word today.
Bible Reading: Romans 7:21-25
Read these verses three times slowly.
So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.
Reflection & Questions
By Heather Lee
During World War I and II, the “SOS” symbol was used by ships and airplanes to signal distress and request immediate assistance. Today, it is globally recognized as a call for help in emergencies.
In Romans 7:21-25, Paul describes his struggle between the desire to do good and the stronghold of sin within him. Despite Paul’s intentions to follow God’s law, he often does the opposite because of his sinful nature. This internal conflict keeps him a “prisoner of the law of sin.” Sin, at its core, is a rebellion within us that leads to brokenness and separation from God, often resulting in metaphorical shipwrecks and plane crashes in our lives—an SOS situation in desperate need of rescue.
Jesus is the answer to our SOS; He is our rescuer. Through His death on the cross, we receive salvation from our sin. While we will continue to struggle with temptation, in Jesus, we find forgiveness and rescue from the death we deserve.
- Where in your life do you feel (or have felt) overwhelmed by sin and in need of an SOS?
- How can Jesus offer you hope and salvation?
- Spend time in prayer, thanking Jesus for His rescue and forgiveness.
Prayer
Talk to God in response to today’s reading.
Worship Song
You might use this song today to worship Jesus today:
Bible Reading: Romans 7:21-25
Read these verses three times slowly.
So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.
Reflection & Questions
During World War I and II, the “SOS” symbol was used by ships and airplanes to signal distress and request immediate assistance. Today it is globally recognized as a call for help in emergencies.
In Romans 7:21-25, Paul describes his struggle between the desire to do good and the way sin still has a strong hold on him. Have you ever felt that struggle inside you? The feeling that you know what is the right thing to do but the wrong thing is SO tempting? Paul intended to follow God’s law, but he often does the opposite because of his sinful nature. This keeps him a “prisoner of the law of sin.” Sin is a rebellion that leads to us being separated from God and a brokenness in our relationship with him which is like shipwrecks and plane crashes in our lives – we have to put out at SOS because we need rescuing!
Jesus is the answer to our SOS. He is our rescuer. Through His death on the cross, we receive salvation from our sin. While we will continue to struggle with our sinful temptations, Jesus offers us forgiveness and rescue from the death we deserve.
- What is an area in your life where you feel like you need rescuing from sin?
Pray
Ask Jesus to help you in your difficult temptations. Thank Him for being your rescuer!
Check out more Bible Reading Plans here.
Questions?
Ed Applegate
