Unlimited: I Keep Doing Evil
Dec 2, 2022 796
For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing (Romans 7:18b–19).
The apostle Paul here writes of his powerlessness to do good in and of himself. At the same time, he continually does the evil that he despises. This seems a strange way for a follower of Jesus to describe himself. It is so different to what we normally think, yet it is a reality for every child of God. The Amplified Bible expresses it like this:
I have the intention and urge to do what is right, but no power to carry it out (Rom 7:18, Amp.)
I have the desire to do what is good, but… the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.
It is important for us to acknowledge this because it will constantly throw us upon the grace of God.
As a child of God in this world, we experience the reality of the weakness of the flesh, while we live out of the reality of our identity as a redeemed child of God. We will war against sin through the power of the Holy Spirit. At the same time, the sin within us will also struggle to drag us down from the assurance of our salvation in Christ.
The key to successful living is to live out of our identity as a saved child of God. When we do that, we will experience peace and assurance as we allow the Spirit of God to do his wonderful transforming work in our lives.
Spiritual Application
During his earthly ministry, Jesus never rejected anyone who came to him in a broken state, acknowledging their powerlessness and need. To what extent do you personally identify with the way Paul describes himself in Romans 7?
Crossroman
Dec 4, 2022
Eliezer you have this wrong, Romans chapter 7 is all about man's defeat under the law, and why there had to be a change of covenants. It does not refer to the Christian condition, but to that condition under law by which we are held captive to sin. Here are two references, the first is quite extensive and comprehensive, the second is my simplified version of it. Thanks. https://crossroman.wordpress.com/2022/11/17/clinging-to-a-counterfeit-cross-1654bk/ and https://crossroman.wordpress.com/2022/10/12/satans victory-is-not-christs-victory-though-people-make-it-out-to-be-1955a/
Okurut Martin
Dec 2, 2022
Good News
Eliezer Gonzalez
Dec 17, 2022
Dear Wayne - The truth is that this is a most difficult passage. I have struggled with it all my life, and I used to see it as you do. I no longer do. However, you are welcome to your understanding or it. Grace and Peace - ELiezer