Romans 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwells no good thing: for to will is present with me… I. THERE IS NO GOOD THING BY NATURE FOUND IN ANY UNRENEWED HEART. And where there is no good there must be much evil. II. THE PEOPLE OF GOD, WHOSE EYES ARE ENLIGHTENED BY DIVINE GRACE, ARE FULLY CONVINCED THAT IN THEIR FLESH DWELLETH NO GOOD THING. I know it, says our apostle. It is a part of the new nature to know it; for grace is a Divine light in the soul, discovering the true nature of things. III. THE CHILDREN OF GOD NOT ONLY KNOW THIS WANT OF ANY GOOD IN THEMSELVES, BUT THEY ACKNOWLEDGE IT WHENEVER THEY THINK THAT GOD MAY THEREBY BE GLORIFIED. This, I doubt not, was the principal design of our apostle here. IV. NOTWITHSTANDING ALL THIS, YET THE PEOPLE OF GOD HAVE ALWAYS SOMETHING WITHIN THEM WHICH MAY BE PROPERLY CALLED A WILL TO DO GOOD. "To will is present with me." V. ALL THE PEOPLE OF GOD FIND THAT THEIR PERFORMANCE OF GOOD IS NEVER EQUAL TO THEIR DESIRES. "How to perform that which is good I find not." (J. Stafford.) Parallel Verses KJV: For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. |
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