Romans 7:16–17: If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.
Paul is not actually saying he does not do it, but that it is not what his deep inner self, renewed in Christ, wants to do. He is dominated by sin. Thomas à Kempis wrote of the same frustration:
I desire to enjoy Thee inwardly, but I cannot take Thee. I desire to cleave to heavenly things, but fleshly things and unmortified passions depress me. I will in my mind to be above all things, but in spite of myself I am constrained to be beneath, so I, unhappy man, fight with myself and am made grievous to myself while the spirit seeketh what is beneath. O what I suffer within while as I think on heavenly things in my mind; the company of fleshly things cometh against me when I pray. 1
Thomas à Kempis writes for us all. How often we have tried with all our might to follow Christ, but have been pulled down by our flesh and failed. 2
Application
- What nature gets more of your personal attention: your old nature or your new nature?
- Now you can understand why Satan and his demons want to condemn you when you fail as a Christian. Satan says “God does not want you.” God says: “I want you even more than ever before.”
Prayer
Lord, thank You for Your continual forgiveness and great patience with me.
1. McGee, J. V. (1991). Thru the Bible commentary: The Epistles (Romans 1-8) (electronic ed., Vol. 42).
2. Hughes, R. K. (1991). Romans: righteousness from heaven. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Book.
