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They say that death is the ultimate destroyer of all things.  When we view the still body of a dead person we know that this is very true.  In Romans 7, the Apostle Paul uses death in a favourable sense for those who follow Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord.  Just as death brings to an end the marriage relationship between husband and wife, the “marriage” between the believer and the law is severed and he/she is free to be in a new relationship with Jesus Christ.  Whereas in the past, we were unable to do what was pleasing to a holy God, now we are able to choose what is right in the sight of a holy God.

However, if we think that living the Christian life will be all smiles, we will be sadly mistaken.  Paul describes in Romans 7 the profound conflict that every Christian finds inherent in his life in Jesus Christ:  Christ dwells in him, yet sin also dwells in him trying hard to maintain control of his life.  Perfect conformity to God’s will is at present out of his reach.  Salvation has both the “already” and “not yet” dimensions.  We are “already” saved in Christ but we are “not yet” perfect in Him.  We are “already” saved from the penalty of sin but “not yet” with the struggle with sin for we are still in the presence of sin.
Have any of us ever been surprised by sins which we thought we were rid of suddenly taking hold of us again in our Christian walk?  Paul makes it clear that the Christian walk will be a life of struggle between what is sinful and what we know to be pleasing to God – what the Westminster Confession calls “a continual and irreconcilable war” raging within us.  Let us continue to rely on God for the strength to do what is right in this struggle all of our days of our Christian walk on this earth.  In the words of Paul we can do this “Thanks be to God – through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Rom. 7:25a).  When Jesus saved us, He gave us His Holy Spirit who indwells us.  Paul encourages us with: “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength” (Phil 4:13).  We can serve God in newness of the Holy Spirit as we exhibit the fruit of the Holy Spirit in daily living – serving God and people, all for the glory of God.