Archives: 2006

Romans 7, dark chapter that it is, still ranks as one my favorite chapters. Perhaps that’s because the brightness of the ending is enhanced by the darkness before.

Notice verse 19 and tell me it isn’t a dark, hopeless verse:

“For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.”

Or as I translate it from my Spanish Bible:

“Because I do not do the good which I want to do, but the wrong that I do not want to do, that I do.”

When it comes to doing right and living godly, I’m my own worst enemy!

“Miserable me!” exclaimed Paul (in Spanish in verse 24).

I agree.

But Jesus sets me free from myself. And though my flesh continues to work against me, He gives power to my spirit to overcome my flesh.

I can do the good I want to do!

I am a free man. I am in bondage to no one. I do what I want.

Really?

“Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey…?” (Romans 6:16).

That certainly makes sense — I am servant to whomever I obey.

So, do I still say I’m a free man doing what I want?

Well, here’s the rest of that verse:

“…whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?”

Hmmm. That sounds like either I am servant of sin or a servant of obedience to Jesus.

If I serve sin, it is to death.

If I obey Jesus, it is to righteousness.

I here and now declare again that I yield myself as a servant to Jesus.