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"For what I am doing, I do not understand.
For what I will to do, that I do not practice;
but what I hate, that I do."
(Romans 7:15)
While recording another episode for the REvangelical podcast, I read Romans 7. I am currently reading through the entire book of Romans. It is such an enlightening and powerful discipline to simply read this amazing book that Paul wrote to the church at Rome. Romans is perhaps my favorite Book in the Bible, and it certainly contains my favorite verse in the Word of God (Romans 10:9 is my all-time favorite, and Romans 1:16 is one I cherish as well).
I am still pondering this wonderful chapter. I do not profess to understand all that Paul is writing. I did enjoy reading through a couple of commentaries on Romans 7 by Leon Morris and F.F. Bruce. But there are still things I have yet to learn and understand. I believe that is a good place to be. It is okay to admit to God that we still have a lot to learn from His awesome Word.
Paul admits in this chapter that at times he does not do the good things that he should, but he does things that he should not. Romans 7:19 states, "For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice." Some argue that Paul here is referring to his pre-Christian days when he was not a follower of Jesus. Others believe Paul is referring to a time when he was a new believer, a babe in Christ. But I believe Paul is simply being honest and forthcoming by the power of the Holy Spirit and admitting what every child of God knows to be true: we do not always bat 1000! We all fail, make mistakes, and sin against God. The good we should do, we do not do, and the bad we should avoid, well, that is what we end up doing.
Near the end of Romans 7, in verses 24-25, Paul states that Jesus Christ is the one who delivers him. God gives us the victory. Every victory is indeed the Lord's. He loves us and is so very patient with us. Aren't you glad?
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