Romans 7:18-20 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.
Paul is explaining how he wants to obey God’s laws but fails because of sin within him. Sin holds power over humanity. Many interpreters says that Paul is not describing himself at the time of writing but is using “I” as the person who struggles in sin and has not yet died to the old life of sin. This is the life of slavery to sin experienced by those who try to be righteous by the law. This type of situation especially fits the Jews who are think they are righteous because of their outward obedience but are really just as sinful as the Gentiles or pagans. Having the desire to do what is right is not enough. There must be an inward change. The old life must be ended through crucifixion. We must turn to God for help in our struggle against sin. There is no victory when we rely on our own strength and ability to be righteous. We fool ourselves and end up stuck in sin even more. Legalism is a trap that blinds us to the need for total consecration and dying to the old self. With legalism, we are still in control. This is the subtle but important difference between legalism and the obedience of faith. That does not mean we are guiltless. We make the choice of rebellion. But our choices are driven by the deeper problem of sin, which we cannot help. We are sons and daughters of Adam and are bound to death and all it involves (for example, the lusts of the flesh in an effort to get ahead in life, be comfortable, or create our own living situation where we are our own god). This type of situation needs radical help that can only come through God. But God will not act unless we allow God to do this.
For older posts, click here.