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Like many parts of Colossians and Galatians, Paul deals with the law and sin in Romans chapter 7. He first brings up the idea of dying to the law through Christ. After saying that we have died to both the law and sin in other passages, I’m sure many early Christians were wondering if Paul thought the law was in fact sin. He quickly dispels this suggestion in verse 7, but brings up an interesting relationship between the law and sin: “If it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin.” Which makes a lot of sense. If God hadn’t told us what was right and wrong, well, we wouldn’t know what we should or shouldn’t do. But at the same time, through its definition in the law, sin becomes more appealing in many ways. We’re all sort of like little kids. When our parents (or whoever) tell us not to take, say, cookies, it makes us want the cookies all the more, and sometimes we may give in and steal them. While our parents and their warning are good cannot be blamed for our action, the temptation to steal and is not.

There is one verse that I feel really accurately captures my feelings about sin and guilt after doing something I know was wrong. “For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.” (Romans 7: 15) I really really hate it when I mess up. I like to do my best in all that I do, and can be a bit of a perfectionist, and sin is no exception. But it is also one of those things that cannot be avoided entirely. Ever since the fall, sin has been an inherent part of human nature. It is important to remember that it’s only part of our life here on Earth though. Paul reminds us that sin “dwells in our flesh,” and finally in verses 24 and 25 brings it back to Christ: “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” Regardless of how many mistakes we make here in our human form, Jesus has provided us a way out.