Thoughts on the Epistle to the Romans (127) - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2026

I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practise.
Romans 7:18.19

Thoughts on the Epistle to the Romans (127)
What happens when someone places himself under the Mosaic law after being converted to Jesus Christ? He will sense exceedingly painfully that the flesh, the old nature inherited from Adam, is still in him and produces nothing that is good.

Such a person's attention is directed to himself and the law. That is why the words "I", "me" and "my" occur so frequently in these verses. No-one can find the strength to do what is good in himself.

What we miss in these verses is dependence on Christ and what He has done for the believer, whose sins have been not only forgiven, but he has been made one with Christ in His death. This means that he has died to sin and the law (cf. ch. 6:2; 7:6). The measure in which a Christian appropriates the doctrine of the epistle to the Romans by faith and relies on it in daily living determines how far he is spared the painful experiences described in Romans 7.

However, the inclination to legality in our hearts often leads to our appropriating the doctrine truly by faith only after undergoing unpleasant experiences.

Believers who do not know true liberty in Christ, but place themselves under the law will experience the conflict between the two natures, but not find the strength to do what is good.

(to be continued next Sunday)

Today's reading: Exodus 18:13-27 · Luke 8:9-18