Romans 7:12-25
These verses have been compared with the vain struggles of a man trapped in a bog. Every movement he makes to get free from it only gets him sucked further in. Realising he is lost, he finally calls for help. Morally this picture is a good illustration of the history of many children of God, in the period following their conversion. The apostle puts himself in the place of such a believer (if he were not a believer, on the one hand he would not have these struggles, and on the other hand he would not find his pleasure in the law of God; v. 22). He draws this picture of his utter despair. "Alas!" cries out this man, "instead of going on better and better I feel myself worse each day. I have discovered step by step that I was "under sin" (Romans 3:9), that it "reigned" over me (Romans 5:21), that it dominated me (Romans 6:14), that it held me captive (Romans 7:23) and finally that it "dwells in me" (vv. 17-20), like an insidious disease which has taken possession of my inmost being. This body of death, who will deliver me from it? I realise that I am incapable, without strength . . . so I am ready then to put myself in the hands of Another. Then the Lord Jesus takes me by the hand."
A painful but necessary experience! From that moment when I expect nothing more from myself, I can expect everything from Christ.