So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in the sinful nature, a slave to the law of sin. (Romans 7:25)

Several years ago, a Union Pacific Railroad train barreled across the tracks somewhere in western Nebraska. The train had two engines, one in the front and one in the rear, operated by a remote control from the lead engine. Apparently a motorist became irate because the train was blocking traffic so he uncoupled the long string of cars near the middle. When it moved out, the engineer was unaware of what had happened. As the train rolled along, it separated until there was nearly twelve miles between the front section and the rear section. For nearly fifty miles the train moved along crossing roads and passing other trains until the conductor noticed what was going on. It is fortunate that no one was hurt or killed by the rear section which was moving forward without lights, whistles or an engineer to control its movements.

Our lives are much like that when we separate ourselves from God, our personal “engineer.” We feel like the last half of the train. We find ourselves doing things we know we should not do and failing to do things we know we should.

Paul was keenly aware of this conflict in our nature. He states in his letter to the Romans that he wanted to do good, but sin seemed to wage war against what he knew to be right. Almost in desperation he cried, “Who will rescue me from this body of death?” He knew, of course, that there is only one answer to the divided self – Jesus Christ.

God of the lost, help me to remain whole in Your sight. Help me to refrain from dividing myself between Your love and goodness and the snares of this world.