I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. Romans 7:21-25

Many would call the Apostle Paul the greatest evangelist in Church history, afterall he wrote over half of the New Testament, including this epistle, was a highly trained Pharisee before his conversion to Christ, but what did Paul think of himself? O Wretched Man That I am! Paul understood his sinful nature and his need for Christ, even after all the experiences Paul had with the Holy Spirit, miracles and healings, Paul still humbled himself to understand we are all sinners in need of a Savior!

Paul asks a good question here “Who shall deliver/rescue/free me from the body of this death?” No matter how sanctified we become with the Holy Spirit, this body of sin doesn’t want to release us. The Spirit and the Flesh battle daily, our souls want to live for Christ and our flesh wants to be carnally satisfied. When you understand your state of depravity, then you will understand your desperate need for Christ. Until you understand who wretched and spiritually poor you are, you will never know your need for Jesus

But the good news through this is “Christ became our sin so we can be declared righteous before God” (2 Corinthians 5:8) This is a difficult concept to grasp if we are being honest. The Son of God became flesh to dwell among us (John 1:14) and paid the penalty for our sins on the cross (1 John 2:2) Again can we grasp this? We have heard the gospel message a million times, but can we grasp this? Can you understand God became flesh to save you from your body of death?

So lets proclaim and rejoice as the Apostle Paul “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord” But until you come to the realization of your wretchedness, you won’t declare victory in Christ. Many still believe they are “good” people, they are deceived, repent and believe the gospel of Jesus Christ (Mark 1:15) 

God can use the wretched Paul, who before was persecuting and killings Christians, made him Born Again and used him for Gods glory, The Lord can use the wretched You also, Thanks be to God for this unspeakable gift, Victory in Jesus Christ, sanctified in the Holy Spirit, Amen!