How many times do we all feel the way Paul describes in these verses? We sometimes feel we are burdened down with guilt because of our actions. Most of us are living in the fast lane, trying to get all the things the world has to offer--a materialistic struggle.
Sometimes we are up (when the bills are paid, we feel well, the weather is beautiful, and we still have a good job). Sometimes we are down (when nothing seems to go right). Most of us have had a time of crisis sometime in our lives. In such a time we may find it hard to trust in God and in His care. And we find ourselves repeatedly failing, even when we try to do good and be good. Our good intentions don't always work.
What is the cause of this conflict? Galatians 5:17 (NIV) says, "For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want." Romans 8:7, 8 (NIV) says " the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God."
We are slaves to sin--slaves to selfishness, unkindness, gossip, impurity, hatred, neglect, and many other problems. We attempt to do good deeds, but Isaiah 64:6 (KJV) tells us, "We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags."
So what then can we hope for? We can say with Paul the Apostle, "Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (Romans 7:25, RSV). "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1, RSV).
Jesus told Zacchaeus who was up in a tree, ". . . come down immediately. I must stay at your house today. . . . For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost" (Luke 19:5, 10, NIV). Jesus told the thief on the cross, " . . .you will be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:43, NIV). He told the woman caught in the act of adultery, ". . . neither do I condemn you, . . . Go now and leave your life of sin" (John 8:11, NIV).
". . . I am carnal, sold under sin. 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 that the law is good. So then it is no longer I that do it, but sin which dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot do it. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do. . . Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?"
Romans 7:14-19, 24, RSV
