The Christian life is a constant struggle.  It was for the Apostle Paul, and it will be for us.  Even though our hearts know what is right, and we want to obey God, there is always something inside us saying 'No' to righteousness.  The grip of sin on our lives, even as believers in Jesus Christ, is far greater than most of us like to admit.  The habits of sin easily take root, and their poisonous flowers become part of our landscape.  In reality, we have become trapped in patterns of rebellion against God which we justify and accept as normal.

But the Apostle Paul was not content to stay like that.  He knew that rules, discipline, threats and promises could not remove the control which his sinful nature exercised.  He was bitterly disappointed with his own spiritual progress and wanted to be rescued.  He asks the biggest question of life, “Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?”   

He knew that no system of religious activity, personal regulation, philosophy or psychological manipulation could solve his problem.  He needed a person who was holy and pure, loving and forgiving, patient and encouraging.  Paul appealed to the Lord Jesus Christ.  Only He can deliver us from every form of tyranny and fulfil all the promises of God in us (2 Corinthians 1:20-22).  And the implication of the passage is that Paul had to appeal to Jesus as a daily part of his discipleship.

The war inside us is a reality.  Satan wants us to believe that there is no way out of struggle and failure.  But that is not true because Jesus has the power to enable us to overcome.  Alas, many have given up because of their repeated failures.  So, Paul's personal experience should encourage us that there is an answer which needs to be applied daily!  Go to Jesus, confess your struggle and your failure, and then trust Him to help you do your part in resisting temptation, and leave Him to do His part in overcoming the power of the enemy in your life.  And do not presume any battle is too fierce for Jesus.