Struggle

Struggle

Romans 7:14–25

“For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.” Romans 7:18b

We can all relate to Paul’s words here in Romans, right? We’ve all, at some point, in some way, found ourselves doing the very thing we knew we shouldn't be doing?

Maybe it was something you said that you later regretted. Maybe, it was a temptation you thought you’d overcome, but it resurfaced. Or maybe you’ve neglected doing something you know God was calling you to do.

If we're honest, we have all experienced this struggle.

Paul is describing the frustration that BELIEVERS encounter between knowing what’s right and actually doing it. He writes about wanting to obey God's law while finding another force at work within him, pulling him toward sin.

Paul’s not saying a lack of knowledge causes this struggle. He knew God’s commands, God’s Word, as well as anyone. Nor was Paul saying a lack of desire causes this tension. He genuinely wanted to do what is right (good).

Paul’s struggle was that, even with the strongest and most earnest desire, he continued to encounter the reality and presence of sin.

Of course, our lesson today reminds us that following Christ does not mean we no longer struggle with sin. Even the most faithful among us know that our desires and actions don’t always agree.

The Christian life is not a declaration that we have conquered every weakness. R.C. Sproul said, “The flesh is not totally annihilated at conversion; the war goes on.” It is a daily, ongoing, perpetual acknowledgment that we need God's grace in order to live for Christ. The Good News is that the struggle itself does not mean that you and I have somehow fallen from God’s care.

But it does bring to light one of the great truths of Scripture: that Truth being, we cannot overcome the power of sin through willpower alone.

How often have we tried to address our weaknesses and struggles by making stronger resolutions? We promise ourselves that we will be more patient, more loving, less anxious, or more disciplined? And we’re sincere in our resolve! We have the best of intentions... but intentions fall short.

And that’s because the problem is deeper than our behavior. Sin affects our desires, our thoughts, our attitudes, and our actions. Making the problem of sin not simply a problem of making bad choices; it is that our fallen nature continually needs the restorative work of God's Spirit.

But this truth’s not intended to make us (as followers of Christ) despair... but it should humble us.

The fact is: God never intended for us to live the Christian life in our own strength. He has given us His Word, the indwelling Holy Spirit, the fellowship of His people, and the sufficient grace of Jesus Christ.

Our weaknesses and struggles serve a valuable purpose... because our weakness teaches us to stop trusting in ourselves and to depend more & more fully upon Christ.

Jesus even said in John 15:5, “apart from me (Christ), you can do nothing.” We’re completely dependent on Jesus, for every act of righteousness we do!

Of course, Paul's description of the struggle within us leads to a pointed question in Romans 7:24:

“Who will deliver (rescue) me from this body of death (from this body that is subject to death)?”

Paul did not ask: “What new rule will save me?” or “What 10-step program will deliver me?” or “How can I become strong enough to rescue myself?” He asks, “Who. Will. Deliver. Me?”

And he immediately gives the answer in verse 25:

“Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!”

That’s the Good News of the Gospel!

Our hope is not (nor has it ever been) that we will eventually become good enough to redeem ourselves. Our assurance is that Christ has done for us what we could never do.

Our call is to rest in both the justifying grace of God -by which we are declared righteous through faith in Christ - and His sanctifying grace - by which He continues to make us more like Christ.

That does not mean the struggle ends. It means that because we belong to Christ, we fight sin from a position of grace, trusting that God is at work in us.

When we struggle, and stumble and fall... we confess our weakness and turn to Christ... and He is faithful and just; and restores us... time and again... as He’s transforming us, evermore into the people He’s called us to be.

Maybe we need to measure our relationship with God less by the consistency of our performance, and more on the sufficiency of our Savior. He will grow us in obedience and faith, even through our struggles.

Because His grace is enough... and He will finish the work He began in each of us.