Romans 7:14-25
Paul Struggles with Sin
14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.
Philippians 4:10-13
Being Contented in All Things and Times
10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Can we make peace with ourselves, when we know we are flawed?...St. Paul speaks of our flawed existence and our sinful nature...He was aware that he was broken and lacked somethings...Yet, he was one of great faith...He was one who was contented in his his different circumstances...Paul had learned to be contented and grateful to God in his troubled times...He did not act on his sins to harm others...St. Paul loved his neighbor and loved God...St. Paul knew to have faith in God, and that God was worthy of being worshipped...He rejoiced greatly in God...He realized he had flaws and sins, and that by God’s grace, He had sent His One and Only Son to save us from these sins...And thus St. Paul had this peace about himself because of this Amazing Grace of God...And because of this Grace of God, he believed he could do all things through Jesus Christ...