THE INWARD BATTLE OF ROMANS SEVEN

"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)

Devotion 16 of 23

I FIND LAW

   "I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me" (KJV).  Other versions read, I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wishes to do good" (NASB).  "So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me (NIV). So I find this rule: that for me, where I want to do nothing but good, evil is close at my side" (NJB).

      Already, the Apostle has affirmed that willingness was "present" with him. A deep and profound desire to serve the Lord was resident in his person. It was on the surface, but at the heart of his essential person: "for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not" (verse 18). Now he elaborates on WHY he could not perfectly implement his sanctified will. There was something else in him. It was a law, or principle, that competed with his will. Every time he aspired to do "nothing but good" (NJB), this principle asserted itself.

   This law (the presence of evil when good is intended) is to spiritual life what the law of gravity is to nature. In nature, every time a person wants to go up, he confronts a law, or principle, that pulls him down! No matter how often or how high the person jumps, the law of gravity is there. He cannot get rid of it, but must learn how to live with it. He can take measures that can counteract the law of gravity, like flying, or climbing, but he cannot get rid of the law.

   So it is in spiritual life. The desire to do good is always mixed with the suggestions of our old nature. This is a spiritual principle, and should not surprise us. The point is not the source of this law, but the PRESENCE of it. It is an ever present truth that the determination to do good is always neutralized by the presence of evil. Many people so not struggle with evil because they do not aspire to do good.

   Evil, in this case, refers to all inner influences that compete with the good we want to do. While they may not always evil morally, they ARE evil because they draw us away from the good we intend to do. Good and evil are always contending within us. It is a principle that remains with us while we are in the body. This aspect of spiritual life will be further developed in verse twenty three. It has only been introduced in this verse. But it is a vital principle, and must be seen in larger measures by the elect.

PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank You through Jesus Christ that Your grace and salvation have constrained me to do good.

-- Tomorrow: THE RECONCILED WAY OF THINKING --