July 2

It is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. — Rom 7:17

Paul shows us a vision of his inner life, and we see a fierce struggle going on.

The two men in him were utterly different in their character and aim. “Not what I would, that do I practice; but what I hate, that I do.” His better self approved the right, but the other self, which seemed the stronger, did the wrong. “So now it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwelleth in me.”

The good that was struggling in him was the new life, Christ in him, and the other self was sin that was fighting hard not to be driven out. For the time the evil seemed the stronger.

“To will is present with me, but to do that which is good is not. For the good which I would I do not; but the evil which I would not, that I practice.” We understand this if we are really striving to live a holy life.

A prayer of Fenelon’s runs, “Lord, take me, for I cannot give myself to Thee; and when Thou hast me, keep me, for I cannot keep myself; and save me in spite of myself.”