For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. — Romans 8:3 (NIV)

On our recent trip to Orlando for the denominational meeting I was delighted to find that Robert had provided snacks for the road. I was even more delighted to find that many of those treats were peanut laden.

Normally, I avoid peanuts because the mere scent of them on my breath can trigger an allergic reaction at home. However, here was an opportunity to indulge a frustrated desire without guilt or fear. So, as we drove along, I consistently reached over the other items to get to the peanut butter crackers, Nutter Butter cookies, and peanut M&M’s. I don’t even like peanut M&M’s!

On the same journey I noticed another odd thing. I really don’t swim well, but I have developed an intense desire to dive into a swimming pool head first. Unfortunately, the pool at our hotel said, “No Diving!” They even scared me away with a picture of a stick figure banging his head on the bottom. This diving desire started on our vacation last month when a similar “No Diving!” sign thwarted my desire.

I want to dive, but can’t. I revel in stress-free peanut consumption mile after mile because I otherwise couldn’t. What’s going on with me? It seems to be the same thing that goes on with a child when you say, “Please don’t touch that.” The next thing you know, even though they weren’t interested, suddenly they are. Sometimes, they will even look right at you as there arm irresistibly stretches out to the forbidden thing.

What’s going on with me? It’s the same thing that went on in the Apostle Paul’s life (see Romans 7:7-8:4). Paul says the problem is not the rules, but us. Our ‘sinful nature’ takes laws that are intended for our good and desires the opposite (see James 2:13-15). Therefore, law by itself provokes sin in us and increases guilt to us. The unaided law brings death.

We need something more than law alone. We need changed desires and guilt removed. We need rescue from our body of death (Romans 7:24). Thanks be to God who sets us free by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering (Romans 8:3).

What’s going on with you? Hopefully, the same thing as with me: rescue from slavery to desire, from sin, from death. Thanks be to God.

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:1-2 (NIV)