Robert Louis Stevenson, the author of Treasure Island, is also well known for writing ‘The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde’ published in 1886. You may recall that Dr. Jekyll had evil tendencies but wanted to hide them. So using a potion, he was able to turn into a completely different person – Mr. Hyde. These two personalities were as different as day & night.
The truth is, all of us, in one way or another, fit into Stevenson’s story about these two personalities. Most of us seem to have split natures more often than we care to admit. But thankfully, we’re not the only ones suffering from this malady. Even the Apostle Paul struggled between good and evil.
Reading through Romans 7, we see how much he clashed with these two “persons.” Vs. 21 gives us this interesting insight to life from Paul: “I have discovered this principle of life – that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong.” Poor Paul – poor us!! As he discovered, there is a war being waged in all of us between good and evil. Between the things we want to do and don’t do and the things we don’t want to do, and do.
Imagine the total frustration Paul must have felt when he finally throws up his hands in total exasperation and declares these famous words = “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” The answer, of course, is that Jesus Christ can and does!!
The ancient Roman Emperors were known for their ability to think up hideous forms of punishment for criminals. One of their punishments was that of binding the corpse of a murder victim to the back of the murderer. So, shackled to his victim — hand-to- hand, waist-to-waist, and foot-to-foot — the murderer was forced to live out the remainder of his days directly bearing the weight and putrefying stench of the dead body he carried around with him day and night. In time, the rotting flesh would become rife with disease, infecting the killer and leading to a horrible and grisly end.
Paul’s analogy was that without Christ, we are shackled to a dead body – our sinfulness. Thankfully, Jesus Christ has freed us from sin’s penalty and the Holy Spirit frees us from sin’s power. This is the truth that sets us free. But, of course, to enjoy freedom, we need to apply these truths to our daily lives.
We’ve all heard the phrase, “Over my dead body.” There are some who claim this has historical background dating back to the days when one king would always need to die before another could ascend to the throne. So the term, “You will become king over my dead body” came into play. This often happened by murdering the ruling king. Literally, one person would need to die for another to reach their goal. But again literally – this is the only way believers enter the kingdom of heaven – over the crucified body of Jesus Christ who died for us as he willingly laid down his life in place of ours!
In March of 1974, Japanese Lt Hiroo Onoda, a World War II holdout for nearly 30 years, emerged from the Philippine jungles. He told Japanese newsmen he hadn’t come out before because he hadn’t received the order. His brother Toshiro was part of the search party who finally located Hiroo and gave him the good news that the war
had ended. Imagine fighting a war for 30 years without knowing that it was over. Crazy isn’t it?!
But this is the same news the Apostle Paul was giving us. The war is over – our sinful nature is dead. It’s been defeated if we will only turn to Jesus in those critical times of decision! Romans 6:11 says it outright – “You should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.” Great news — we no longer have to be slaves to sin, those counted among the living dead.
Imagine if I bought a new car battery but kept the old one – because …well – I’ve had it a long time and I like it. Imagine attending a funeral and walking past the casket and winking at the corpse! Again – pretty crazy thinking!
Living dead or alive to Christ? As always — our choice!
Bob and Susan Beckett pastor The Dwelling Place City Church at 27100 Girard Street in Hemet, CA. For more information, you may contact them at DPCitychurchg.org
