Why Do I Do That? (Romans 7:13-25)
This week at Grace, we're continuing through Romans 7, looking at one of the most personal sections Paul ever wrote: Why do I do the things I don't want to do and don't the things I do want to do? Why is it so hard to be consistent about doing what is good?
Why talk about this passage on Mother's Day? (Besides that it's "next" in our series). Mothers experience the truth of this passage in spades - they experience it when their children struggle to do the right thing, as well as their own growth in Christ.
There's no one who needs a more accurate, biblical, and robust theology of human nature than moms. Without it, we end up pretending, shaming, or living wracked with guilt.
I'm hopeful that this Mother's Day passage of Scripture will help us see ourselves and others from a gracious and biblical frame of mind, so that we can move toward Christ together.
See you Sunday!
In Christ,
Pastor Bob
13 Did that which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, producing death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure. 14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. 15 For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. 17 So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 18 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. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.
21 So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. 22 For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, 23 but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.
- Romans 7:13-25