Romans 7:21-25 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.… Learn — I. THAT THERE IS AN EVIL PRINCIPLE EVEN IN THE HEARTS OF TRUE BELIEVERS. By nature it is treated as our familiar friend (ver. 20); not as a wayfaring man, or as a stranger that tarrieth for a night. It is ever ready to betray us into evil, or to interrupt us in duty, so that when we would do good evil is present with us, at all times, in all places, and in all duties. II. THIS ABIDING PRINCIPLE HAS THE FORCE AND POWER OF A LAW. As the word, when applied to the principle of grace, in ver. 18, implies not merely the presence, but also the activity of it; so here. And though it be weakened, yet its nature is not changed, and this teacheth us what endeavours it will use for regaining its former dominion; and what advantage it has against us. It "doth easily beset us." An inmate may dwell in an house, and yet not be always meddling; but this law so dwells in us that when with most earnestness we desire to be quit of it, with most violence it will force itself upon us. "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." III. THOUGH THIS LAW BE NATURALLY PRESENT WITH ALL MEN, YET IT IS THE DISTINGUISHING PRIVILEGE OF SOME TO FEEL IT, AND TO MOURN CONTINUALLY UNDER IT. 1. How few are there who are concerned about it! As it is natural to us, so most men are ready to imagine, either that there is no such principle within them, or that if there be, it cannot be sinful, but only constitutional. Others represent it as belonging to the very essence of the soul, and they conclude it is all in vain for any to strive against it. But our apostle clearly distinguishes between sin and the faculties of the soul. The inhabitant must be different from the house in which it dwelleth. 2. If there be such a law of sin, it is our duty to find it out. What will it profit a man to have a disease and not to discover it; a fire lying secretly in his house and not to know it? So much as men find of this law in them, so much they will abhor it and no more. Proportionably also to their discovery of it will be their earnestness for grace. IV. THAT THEY WHO FEEL THIS EVIL LAW, EVER PRESENT WITH THEM, WILL COMPLAIN MOST WHEN THEY AIM BEST. When I would do good, evil is present with me. (J. Stafford.) Parallel Verses KJV: I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.WEB: I find then the law, that, to me, while I desire to do good, evil is present. |
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