Romans 7:24, Poverty of Spirit

Romans 7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

Jesus pronounced multiples of blessings upon the man who realized his total depravity and miserable estate and decided that he must wholly depend upon God to overcome sin through life’s pathway. Such a man is a true citizen of God’s heavenly kingdom. We cannot approach God except by humbling ourselves before God to acknowledge our total depravity! It is the first step towards receiving God’s favour and victory over sin.

Listen carefully to our Saviour’s words and pray that we may understand this first law of His kingdom! Only Jesus has the power to break the hold of pride and self in our lives. May we plead with Him to humble us that we may be truly blessed of Him! I realized this truth in the second year of university, and this was the beginning of salvation for me. Proverbs 3:5-6 spoke to my heart, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

The Apostle Paul understood well the first law of Christ’s kingdom! (Matt. 5:3) This, I believe, is the testimony of a child of God who realized his unworthiness before God. He cries out to God for mercy. If God will not intervene to grant him deliverance, he will fail miserably! Therefore, we dare not live far from His presence but seek to experience His sanctifying presence by a poverty of spirit. Amen.