“But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of coveting. For apart from the law, sin was dead.” Romans 7:8

It’s that time of year again! FUNDRAISER TIME! With it comes the offer of a trade from my granddaughter, who is raising money for her dance lessons and competitions. For every dollar I give her, she will give ME 1 candy bar of my choosing! It is a TERRIBLE dilemma!

She is family! She is required to sell candy or her parents (MY daughter) will have to pay ‘out of pocket’ expenses out of her own pocket. Naturally, they go for the easier sale…family and friends! Because I LOVE her, I was compelled by a bigger urge to buy. But I was embarrassed when I was told that other people spent a LOT more than my $15! Like I said…a TERRIBLE dilemma!

I LOVE Chocolate. But for these last 6 months, I have been cutting back on the sugar to try to keep my weight down. And it’s been working…KINDA! When I don’t have candy or cookies around, its easier to not eat the stuff. But then another problem arises…DESIRE! If I don’t have cookies…I WANT cookies. Which becomes a passionate fight until I give in and BUY cookies. And the whole vicious cycle continues.

The Law of Human Nature says that if someone tells me I can’t HAVE something…that prohibition actually PRODUCES MY DESIRE FOR IT. The ‘giving in’ produces guilt, which then produces a further desire for the very thing I feel guilty about…because I need comforted over my guilt! And EVERYONE is guilty! ANOTHER excuse!

The Old Testament Law, while factual and true, actually PRODUCES the very sin it prohibits! That is the point of Romans Chapter 7! Tell me “don’t speed,’ and I want to go fast! “Set still,” and I get wiggly! “Don’t Touch,” and I’m all fingers! Hearing, “Don’t Eat the Candy,” compels me to EAT IT! The excuse comes after I’ve eaten… “But it’s for a good cause and she’s FAMILY!”

The only words I can say are, “Oh Wretched man that I am, who can deliver me?” Which is precisely what Paul said at the end of Chapter 7. But Romans 8:1 does provide a solution! But OH what a Terrible Dilemma!