Leviticus 15:2
“Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘When any man has a discharge from his body, his discharge is unclean.'”
As we read the Scripture it is not difficult to see how things like theft, murder or extortion are considered sin and will result in a person being separated from God. When we come to a passage like this one and read that an illness or a women’s menstrual cycle resulted in a person becoming unclean it may seem a bit more difficult to understand. However the teaching of Scripture is very clear, we are not sinners because we sin, we sin because we are sinners. Every part of our nature was affected through the fall. We see this worked out practically every day when we determine not to do something that is considered wrong only to find that we still do it. Paul spoke about this struggle and the victory that stems from it when he wrote of his own personal experience to the Romans.
Romans 7:15″For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do.”
The wonder of the cross is that through it we are not only washed from the stain of sin but are offered a new nature through which we can honor God and overcome personal sin. Paul concluded his struggle by declaring that it is through Christ that victory of the flesh is won.
Jim
Jim Gallagher 
Firstly Jim – Bill & I are so appreciative having you in our lives and guiding us through scripture. We are always so ready to come to church and be strengthened by your sermons and teachings.
I have a question Jim in regards to this passage:
“Romans 7:15″For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do.”
The wonder of the cross is that through it we are not only washed from the stain of sin but are offered a new nature through which we can honor God and overcome personal sin. Paul concluded his struggle by declaring that it is through Christ that victory of the flesh is won.”
Paul wrote in Romans of the fact that he couldn’t STILL control the things that he hated to do but then you say that we are offered a new nature through which we can honor God and overcome personal sin. But even though Paul is a strong believer he continues to do the very thing that he writes we have victory over through Christ.
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Linda, thanks for such a thoughtful question. The Bible teaches that when we come to Christ we are born of the Spirit and given a brand new nature. Jeremiah spoke of us having a heart of stone replaced with a heart of flesh. When this happens we are in relationship with God and have a desire to please Him. The difficulty is that our old nature is not totally eradicated. Along with a desire to please God we still have an appetite for things that are sinful and wrong. In Galatians 5 Paul addresses this issue when he speaks about the battle within the believer between the flesh and the spirit. This battle continues in every believer, even Paul, and the secret to success is growth in Christ. The more we invest the word and seek to live it out, the more we spend time in. On station with God and the more we surround ourselves with godly influences the greater success we will have in the battle.
Jim
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