One of the scripture readings on Sunday was one of my favorite sections of Paul's letter to the Romans. I think It's one place where he sounds so absolutely normal.
In Romans 7:15-19 Paul discusses what the NRSV chapter heading calls "the inner conflict". Here's what he says:
15 I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.
16 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree that the law is good.
17 But in fact it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me.
18 for I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot do it.
19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do.
This to me is one of the big mysteries of life and it applies in so many places of our lives. For example, we SAY we want to lose weight yet we indulge in our favorite treats more often than we should and don't work out as often as we need to. We say we want to save money yet we don't do it.
We also say we're people of faith and that we believe in the teachings of Christ yet there are so many times when we don't follow the two great commandments...especially at work.
There are so many times over the years that I've done something and then thought "now WHY did I do that?"
Whether it's peer pressure in the moment, our pride rearing it's ugly head, or lashing out in anger...it's so easy to allow our emotions to rule our heads and hearts.
I believe this issue is one of the great challenges we face as faithful people living in the world. I don't have an easy answer except that we have to take every step we can to resist our impulse and to patiently reflect before we respond.
What do you think?
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