Romans 7:13–20 (ESV)
The Law and Sin
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. 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.
This is one of my favorite passages in Romans. I call it the do-do passages. Paul is writing about
his (and ours) struggle with sin. I find it comforting to know that Paul struggles with this issue, because I know I certainly do. The things that I should do... I don’t. The things that I shouldn’t do... I do. If I struggle
with these and nobody else does... then I know I am weak. But if the great Apostle Paul struggles with it... I know that I am not alone. Listen to Paul: “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. 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.” Our hope
is not from within ourselves, but comes from outside of ourselves. It comes from the Lord.
Luther writes: “Both expressions are true, that he himself does it and he himself does not do it. He is
like a horseman. When his horses do not trot the way he wants them to, it is he himself and yet not he himself who makes the horse run in such and such a way. For the horse is not without him, and he is not without the horse. But because a carnal man certainly
consents to the law of his members, he certainly himself does what sin does” (AE 25.331).
I pray: O Lord, help me to do the things that I am supposed to do. Forgive me when I do the things I shouldn’t do. Guide me to know the difference. In all things, help me to
put my full trust in you. Your plan of Salvation is complete. Amen.