That Thing I Do!

The Things I Do I Don't Want to Do

Have you ever had one of those days when you felt like every little thing you did you didn't want to do and the things you knew you should do, you didn't do?

Scripture tells us that Paul was experiencing the same feelings concerning the things he did not approve of. He found himself doing one thing but desired to do the other. Paul states in Romans 7:15-20, "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." Paul's new nature defends the divine standard—the perfectly righteous law is not responsible for his sin. His new self desired and longed to honor the law and keep it perfectly. He goes on to state; "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"  (v17-18). Even as Christians we are still subject to our fleshly nature because of the fallenness. We are still subject to sin. Paul goes on to say, "Who will deliver me from this body of death? (v.24) The answer!  "Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! Jesus Christ himself is the answer. As Christians we can joyfully agree with the law of God against sin. It is through our relationship with Jesus Christ we can overcome the things we don't want to do and do what we should do.

Lord, thank you for loving me even when I do the things I don't want to do. I ask that you give me the strength to do what I should do. For my heart's desire is for your law and to keep it perfectly. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.