Day 189 – How little chance we have…

Today’s reading: Romans 7

Paul’s writing today could be seen as extremely pessimistic and depressing.  He says:

I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree that the law is good. So then it is no longer I that do it, but sin which dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot do it. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I that do it, but sin which dwells within me.

Really?!  If Saint Paul feels this way, what hope is there for you and me?

What Saint Paul is talking about here is something that the Church teaches called, “Concupiscence”.  Basically, its our tendency to commit sin even when we start out with the best intentions.  Fortunately, for us, we know the answer.  How can we be saved if your tendency is to fall into sin like a magnet pulling on a paperclip?  Paul tells us:

Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!

We can’t do it on our own.  It is only through his grace that we have a chance.  It is his grace that empowers us to avoid sin.  It is through his grace that our wills are empowered to choose him.  It is through his grace that are works are made meritorious

Tomorrow: Romans 8