Ingredients for Frustration

But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good. So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. (Romans 7:16-18)

As I think and pray about these verses and seek to really understand with my heart how they apply to my own life and experience, I see more clearly the elements of conflict that struggle internally for control of my destiny. The part of me that is called the flesh is in the original called the “sarc”. This is a part of human nature that somehow became infected and corrupted when sin entered the human race and has been a source of confusion ever since. It is also the handle or access point through which the fallen supernatural forces of evil have been able to manipulate and deceive every one of us for thousands of years. It purports to work for our good, but when we follow its promptings we discover after it is too late that we have been misled and have become disenfranchised to enjoy the bliss and joys of heaven.

Most people desire to have enjoyment and peace in their life. They long to feel connected emotionally to others and to be loved and cherished. That is what we were created for – to be the objects of affection for the Creator God who is overflowing with love and compassion. We were also designed to imitate Him in passing on the same kind of treatment to others and connecting the circuit of love which makes the whole universe pulse in harmony and life.

The Law is simply a schematic describing the layout of what that circuit looks like and how it functions. The Law is not the circuit itself but simply a very brief description of the circuit. However, sin has inserted many viruses and false ideas into our thinking that distort the truth about life, about how life can be fulfilling and how to stay in harmony with life. Through the access point of our fallen nature, the flesh, sin has taken up residence inside of us and multiplies its diabolical lies and distortions like a virulent virus to contaminate our original design and corrupt all of our “programming”.

Human beings were created to be the dwelling place of God. Repeatedly throughout the Bible and ending in the last chapters of Revelation God talks about dwelling with us and in us. That is the goal of salvation – to restore us to a condition of wholeness, to repair us so that we can be safe “houses” for God to live in, to become sanctuaries for God to dwell in. It is a very fascinating subject and is one of the central themes of the Bible.

But I see here in this text that sin dwells in me. Several times throughout this chapter Paul mentions the fact that he sees sin dwelling inside. That creates a real problem, because when sin and God get too close to each other it always creates fireworks, quite literally. The closer the proximity the greater and more intense the fire and discomfort.

That is precisely why there is so much frustration described in this chapter. Since the Law is a description of God and becoming a Christian means, among other things, acknowledging the authority and validity of the Law of God, we immediately find ourselves in a state of tension between what is still dwelling inside of us (in our flesh) and what has taken up residence in our real heart (the presence of God). Paul is describing the experience of anyone who is passing through this phase of salvation but he only refers to himself so that he does not come across as accusing or condemning of anyone else. He knows that if we are honest that we will be able to identify with what he is describing as he leads us to see how to grow beyond this stage of spiritual maturity.

So to simplify the description of the problem I look carefully at these verses and try to see what is going on inside. There are several key words that I focus on.

The Law –

• it is spiritual and good

• I agree with it

• my will wants to obey it but I find myself not obeying it.

My flesh –

• it is an inescapable part of me

• through it I am in bondage to sin

• sin dwells in me there.

Sin –

• it is a slave-driver that controls me against my will

• it dwells in my flesh

• it is doing things through me that I don't want to do in violation against the Law

• it is manipulative, it is not good.

My will –

• it is present inside of me

• as a Christian my will agrees with the Law

• it believes the Law is good

• it desires to do good in harmony with the Law

• its desires are being overridden by sin that dwells inside of me.

As I think about this mixture I can see a pretty clear recipe for frustration. I believe that this whole chapter, particularly the last half, is an emotional description of what life is like when a person is trying to be a Christian but still finds himself stuck in bondage to sin. I do not mean that as harsh or condemning in the least. I believe that it is a natural stage that very many pass through in their growth journey toward deeper spiritual maturity. Does it have to be that way? I don't have the answer for that and I think only God knows. Either way, it is a reality in millions of hearts and lives and Paul is showing us the way through it to more perfect freedom on the other side. I want to dig out the glowing truths and gems that Paul is presenting in this passage and implement them in my own experience as I study and pray my way through these verses.

I know I have taken a long time dwelling on this chapter, but maybe I am just dense and slow of heart. I have decided to not go any faster in my study than I can feel I am really absorbing. There is so much here that will enrich me if I take the time to listen to what the Spirit has to share with me. I resist the urge to rush on to the exciting things in chapter 8 because I want to be very clear and open about my real condition first.

This particular chapter itself has been a source of frustration and confusion for me most of my life and I am determined to not rush past it until I have a much better sense that I am appreciating and understanding it not only with my intellect but with my heart even more importantly. I believe that since this is a very good description of how I have felt for most of my life that God has also put the solution in these passages as well. If I am willing to take to time to immerse myself in His word, marinate in the juices and absorb the flavors into my very being, then they will stay with me much better and these truths will become a permanent part of me instead of just a theological exercise or a set of proof texts.

(next in series)