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"For the good that I will to do, I do not do..."

Text: Romans 7:19

A HUMBLING REALITY

From our reading of the Book of Acts and from our study of the Pauline epistles, we are almost inclined to think that the apostle Paul was “near perfect”. Paul however would be the first to protest that he was anywhere near to perfection. Candidly he wrote concerning the human will.

“For the good that I will to do, I do not do;
but the evil I will not to do, that I practise.”
Romans 7:19

1. The silence of the Biblical records

a) The Book of Acts gives us vital information of the following:-

i) The pre-conversion activities of Paul (Acts 8-9)

ii) The startling conversion of Paul (Acts 9)

iii) His introduction to ministry at Antioch {Invitation of Barnabas} (Acts 11)

iv) His missionary journeys (Acts 13-28)

b) The Book of Acts is silent on the following matters:-

i) The personal struggles of Paul

ii) Paul’s personal thoughts on the subject of sin (Cf. Romans 6-7); however this does not mean that these thoughts were not present with the apostle!

2. Understanding Paul’s struggles

How may we draw meaning from the reading of this candidly written text of the apostle Paul? Three special lessons may be highlighted:-

a) A sense of Identification

We surely can identify with the apostle Paul as he writes about the subject of how he sometimes cannot do what he wills himself to do.

b) A sense of Appreciation

We go one step further. We appreciate the candidness of the apostle Paul for having the courage to admit that he struggles with the principle of sin in his life.

c) A sense of Encouragement

We must draw fresh encouragement from what Paul wrote. We need not be in total despair when we do not always succeed in what we wish to do for the Lord.