[S] Romans 7:5 -- 5For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were aroused by the Law, were at work in the members of our body to bear fruit for death.
[O] The phrase "sinful passions, which were aroused by the Law" grabbed my attention because isn't Law supposed to keep us honest and away from sin? I see a double-edges sword here because we need the Law to come to repentance by realizing the deviation from the perfectness of God's Laws but dwelling on that point will actually arouse us to sinful passions because we lack the grace of God in the whole equation. In verse 6 Paul also says we ought to serve in newness of the Spirit and not the oldness in the letter. So the letter (Law) without the Spirit (grace) will only push us away from what God desires from us. Following the Law may look good to others but God who sees our hearts will not like it.
[A] Especially now as our small group ministry is approaching its 1 year mark, I'm seeing a lot of weariness from the leaders who have been trying their best to care and nurture the members in this pioneering phase of our church's small group ministry. How can I convey the message of Paul here that we need to come together beyond the logistical aspects of our ministry and fall into the deeper presence of God's grace and the nurturing Spirit? That is my homework. I also need to pray for each of the leaders daily.
[P] Dear God, would you grant Your wisdom into my heart such that I would encourage these leaders to hold on and unite to come together in building up our small group ministry beyond this initial hump we're climbing over? Thank You. In Jesus' name. Amen.
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