an apple a day

[reflections on Romans 7: 1-13]

Isn’t it interesting that the ‘law’ was intended, more or less, to draw us closer to God and ended up - just like the fruit in the Garden – being a temptation for us to become like God?

“For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, deceived me…” (Romans 7:11 TNIV)

How often do we take what was intended by God to draw us closer to Him and make it into something that we can control? In turn, this control we have winds up creating distance from God, not closeness to God.

The Message Remix says this about sin: “sin simply did what sin is so famous for doing: using the good as a cover to tempt me to do what would finally destroy me.”

So, in this case, sin – our desire to be like God – made the law look like an apple. Although it was initially created for our benefit and our intimacy with the Creator it ended up creating distance. Not because of God, but because of sin (our desire to control the outcome and be like God). Maybe an apple a day keeps God away? Hmm…

For me, I’ve come to realize that those areas in my life that I strive in or try take control of – without God’s counsel - often are the very things that destroy me. How about you?

So, we give control over to God – what then? Are we finally free? It seems to me, according to Paul’s letter to the followers in Rome, that Paul continued to struggle with sin.

Is it possible that…at a certain point in our Christianity, sin is not so much NOT doing what is wrong and doing what is right but being increasingly (and sometimes painfully) aware of our hearts motivation for doing what is right?

“Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of God.” (Matthew 5:20 TNIV)