For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.
How many of us can relate to this? How many times as a follower of Christ have you tried really hard to control your anger, kill lustful desires, or tame your tongue and failed? How many times of failure did it take before you gave up and uttered these words: well, this must be who I am? Or this must be my struggle.
According to Paul, the struggle is not with a particular sin, but with the power of sin that tempts all of us.* The power of sin that tempts coupled with the fleshly nature inside of us (that succumbs all too willingly to sin) leaves us all in the same frustrating place as Paul. Think about that.
You and I, the very normal humans that we are, sit in the same position of Paul the Apostle?! Wow!! That’s some good company we have!
Paul lacks the power to do what is right and lacks the resistance to keep from doing what is wrong.* His flesh rises up and agrees with the draw of sin toward temptation far too easily.
Who are you? You aren’t defined by your sin or your failing.
Paul goes on to say,
Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!
Jesus came to deliver us from the power of sin! You are a delivered one! You are bought with a price! You are not defined by your sin or failing. You are who He says you are.
The struggle may continue, but you are no failure. You are human, and Christ came that you may overcome. Do not give up hope.
Today, take a step.
Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to forgive yourself for being human. Perhaps today God wants you to lean on Jesus for salvation from the power of sin in an area of your life. Maybe today God wants you to lean into His law to subject your flesh to His rule. Perhaps today God wants you to just keep going with Him.
Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.
Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus.
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*Kruse, C. G. (2012). Paul’s Letter to the Romans (D. A. Carson, Ed.; p. 306–308). William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Apollos.
Osborne, G. R. (2004). Romans (pp. 182–185). InterVarsity Press;
Morris, L. (1988). The Epistle to the Romans (p. 291–294). W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press.
Moo, D. J. (2000). Romans (p. 236–237). Zondervan Publishing House.