Ever have one of these? I had one today.
Apparently the apostle Paul had them from time to time—that gives people like me real hope!
Oh, it’s not a good thing—not like your Birthday or New Year’s Eve, Independence Day, etc. This is a day you want to avoid—hope to avoid at all costs. Nevertheless, they happen to everyone—even pastors—maybe I should say, especially pastors.
Before I go any further, here’s the section of Romans 7 I’m referring to…
“ 14 So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. 15 I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. 16 But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. 17 So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.”
There’s the problem—I still mess up. Yep, even pastor Rob gets angry, is sometimes short with people, selfish, harmful, prideful, lustful, and a whole host of other “fuls” I can’t even think of at the moment. I sometimes feel entitled, sometimes get judgmental, sometimes allow my eyes to linger longer than I should. Aren’t I supposed to be a bit more immune to the whole sin thing by now? Not according to Romans 7:18-24 — according to this text I may get stronger but I will still battle sin.
“18 And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.[d] I want to do what is right, but I can’t. 19 I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. 20 But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.
21 I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. 22 I love God’s law with all my heart. 23 But there is another power[e] within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. 24 Oh, what a miserable person I am!”
Thank God mostly for verses 24 and 25,
“Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? 25 Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord.”
The Christian life is a journey—a marathon, not a sprint. As we become more like Christ the Romans 7 days begin to decrease and the Romans 8 days take over more and more. Specifically verses 1-2…
” 1 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. 2 And because you belong to him, the power[a] of the life-giving Spirit has freed you[b] from the power of sin that leads to death.”
Thank You, Jesus for that! And thank You that you love me even on my Romans 7 days!