ROMANS 7
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. – Romans 7:13-18
ROMANS 7 THE PARADOX IN A BELIEVER’S LIFE
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
“Following my own desires” was what I used to live for
But when I believed in Christ, it is now difficult to do so
For God’s law showed me the sinful nature that lives in me
Because of the law, paradoxes fill my mind and heart
For it is a struggle to follow the good that is required of me
I do not follow the law even though I desire it because of sin.
Paul continues to explain the changes that happen to a believer when they transition to their old life to the new one given to them in Christ. Before they believed in Christ, they didn’t have many conflicts of interests. Now that they heard the truth, they can no longer follow their carnal desires because their flesh was totally opposed to what God requires in his law. The more they heard the law, the harder it was to lean on their own understanding and cravings. This is the paradox that believers are constantly battling on a regular basis. Verses 15 and 16 expose this inner contradiction in a believer’s heart and mind. Now that their lives are no longer about “serving the self” and is now “serving the Lord,” it may be a struggle to follow the law because they still live in their sinful bodies.
Even though the believer wants to do what is good, sometimes they end up doing what is evil or sinful. Those who are unbelievers do not struggle with this paradox since they only do their hedonistic desires and do not have to please the Lord. There is no inner conflict in their minds and hearts unlike the believer.
REFLECTION
- What do we need to do as Christians each time this paradox presents itself?
