St Mary's, Appledore, North Devon

Reflections

Reflection from Rev Hilary Kemp

Romans 7.18-25 (NIV)

18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do – this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

21 So I find this law at work: although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!

So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.

Reflection

This must be one of the most relatable passages in the entire Bible. Paul basically says, “I know what’s right. I want to do what’s right. But somehow, I keep doing the opposite.” If that’s not the human condition in a nutshell, I don’t know what is. These verses hit home because they describe that constant tug-of-war inside us - the part of us that truly loves God and wants to honour him, and the part that still gets tangled up in weakness, temptation, and old habits.

Paul starts by admitting something we all eventually have to face: “I have the desire to do what is good, but I can’t carry it out.” That’s a brutally honest confession from one of the greatest apostles who ever lived. If even Paul struggled like this, it’s probably safe to say that we’re in good company when we feel frustrated with ourselves. He’s not being dramatic - he’s being real. Sometimes we know exactly what the right thing to do is, but when it’s time to act, we trip over our own feet. And it’s not just about outward sins; it’s about the deep patterns of thinking and reacting that pull us away from the peace God offers.

What’s so encouraging here, though, is that Paul doesn’t say this struggle means he’s a failure. He names the tension for what it is - “sin living in me.” He recognizes that there’s this old, broken part of human nature that still tries to hijack our intentions. He also points to something deeper: there’s another law, another power, at work - the law of the Spirit, which is stronger than the law of sin. That’s what gives this passage hope. Paul doesn’t end in despair; he ends in thankfulness. He cries out, “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?” and immediately answers, “Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!”

That’s the turning point. It’s as if Paul realizes that the battle between flesh and spirit isn’t something he can win by trying harder or being more disciplined. The victory comes from grace - from Jesus stepping into the mess and rescuing him (and us) from the endless cycle of guilt and striving. It’s not about pretending the struggle doesn’t exist, but about remembering who stands with us in it.

So, when you catch yourself doing the very thing you said you’d stop doing - when your words, thoughts, or reactions don’t match who you want to be - remember Paul’s words. You’re not alone in that tension. God doesn’t turn away in disappointment; but meets you there with mercy and strength. The struggle itself can be evidence that the Spirit is alive and active in you - that you haven’t given up the fight. And even when you feel stuck, there’s always grace pulling you forward.

So don’t lose heart. Like Paul, we can look at our mess, sigh deeply, and then smile with relief: “Thanks be to God - through Jesus Christ our Lord.”