Freiday Devotional

Romans 7:18-20: I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do-- this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. (Romans 7:18-20; NIV)

Exposition: As with nearly every passage of the Bible, there are differences of opinion when it comes to interpreting this passage. It lies within the context of Paul's discussion on the law; typically understood as the Mosaic Law. So questions have been raised what Paul is asserting. Is he claiming that this experience is something that only Jews experience under the law? Did Paul write this as a flashback concerning his pre-Christian years? Is it just a personal experience that Paul has after his conversion to Christianity? Or is it something that all Christians experience in their walk with Christ? For our purposes today, we will follow the line of thinking concerned with this last question.

It would be no surprise, as Christians, that we are able to commiserate with Paul about his experience with wanting to do good and not doing it. As he states, the problem arises from the lack of good that "lives in me." This assertion is known in the theological realm as "total depravity." It is the belief that, as humans, from birth we are utterly sinful creatures, hell-bent against our Creator. This theological belief was propounded by Augustine (335-430 A.D.) against Pelagius (354-ca. 420 A.D.), and picked up again in the 16th century by the Reformers, esp. Calvin & Luther.

This depravity keeps us from doing the good that we desire to do as Christians. That is why we are in desperate need of help from the Holy Spirit. It is by God's grace through the Spirit that we are able to do anything good. When Paul says, "I cannot carry it out," he proclaims that he is unable to do good by the power of his own strength. When we rely on our own strength, is when we do the evil we do not want to do.

(Remember the last time you were tempted? Did you try to confront that temptation on your own? How did you fair? Or did you say a prayer to God for His strength to see you through? I know the good that I am supposed to do when tempted. But if I meet that temptation head on, without seeking God's help, is when I lose the fight.)

Paul makes a slight dichotomy of himself in the last phrase. He asserts that it is not him, as a Christian, but the sin that still dwells in him that causes him to do evil. This dichotomy is slightly unusual for Paul, as he typically views the person as a single whole. However, for his purposes here, and for emphasis, he asserts this dichotomy to show the struggle that Christians still have after conversion and through their sanctification.

This passage may be of some comfort for us as we continue our walk with Christ, knowing that one of our greatest Christian leaders struggled just as we do today. However, let us not take too much comfort, for Paul and Christ do not want us to stay where we are, continuing in our sin. Instead, let us seek help from the Holy Spirit to enable us to do the good that we desire and are called to do.

Prayer: Our Father in Heaven, we give you thanks for helping us to do good by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Without His help, we would not be able to do the good that is required of us or that we desire to do. We are ever grateful for the grace bestowed upon us through our faith in Christ. For it is by this grace, that we are able to love our neighbors as ourselves. Help us, Father, in our efforts to do good. May you lessen the sin in our lives, and elevate the good, so that You may be honored and glorified. In Jesus name and by the Spirit we pray. Amen.