The desire to do what is good is with me, but there is no ability to do it. For I do not do the good that I want to do, but I practice the evil that I do not want to do. (Romans 7:18-19)
Earlier in this chapter, Paul encouraged us with the fact that once we put our faith in Christ, we’ve died to sin (7:4). The power of sin is dead! But like zombies, our sins keep coming back from the dead, like Paul experienced: “I practice the evil that I do not want to do.”
Notice how often the word “I” pops up in this passage? Paul’s saying, “I just can’t do it on my own! I’ve got this brand new life, with this new identity, and this new love for God’s law, but I’m still totally incapable of keeping the law and pleasing God!” All this frustration leads him to cry out, “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?” (7:24)
He’s begging someone to come fix his wretchedness. Not some-thing. He doesn’t say, “What will rescue me from my sinfulness? What kind of new habit can I put in place? What new philosophy or self-discipline will deliver me?” No, Paul says, “Who will rescue me?” Because only a person can: “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (7:25)
That’s the key to dealing with un-dead sin.
When temptation rears its head, many Christians respond by trying to psych themselves up. Just say no. “No, I’m not going to give in to it!” Or they come up with a new rule or routine for themselves. That might work for a while, but not forever. Eventually we give in.
The way to resist temptation is to say, “Who will rescue me? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! Jesus, you were tempted like me in every way. You were tempted with pride, greed, lust, and selfishness, but you remained sinless. Thank you! Jesus, you died on the cross to kill my sin. You crucified my pride, greed, lust, and selfishness. Thank you!”