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18. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.Romans 7:18.Paul describes the struggles with obedience in our own strength.Here the law says, these are the rules, you better keep them. But the law gives no power for keeping the law.Paul is saying, what I want to do, I do not do. And the things I do not want to do, I do.Does this feel familiar?The law will not reward you, but it will condemn you.Paul explains that even when he does good, evil is still present in him. This is the sin nature we were born with; it is the flesh. In the new birth, the spiritual man is awakened and will be constantly in battle with the flesh. This body of sin will never enter heaven; we will rise from death with an eternal body that shall never die.Paul called himself a wretched man and asks who will deliver me from this body of death.Paul finds the answer in Christ. What he could not do, Christ did everything he needed to get him into heaven: pardoned, forgiven, redeemed. And Christ has done everything for us. Amen.