Rom 7:19 For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. Rom 7:20 But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. Rom 7:21 I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good. (NASB)

Have you ever opened your mouth and said something to someone that you quickly wished would have never flowed out of your mouth? Or did something that you said to yourself you would never do again? I certainly have and the outcome is generally pretty bleak. The frustration that comes from trying to do what is right and failing can be a substantial setback in our Christian walk. But there is hope for those of us that are willing to keep getting back on our feet after such a stumbling block.

Life is full of circumstances and events that we can never get back once we have done them. Unfortunately there are no un-do’s, re-do’s, or “do-over’s” in life… But have no fear, even Paul struggled with the same problem. For the good we want to do sometimes eludes us and we find ourselves doing the very thing we ought not to do.

So what does one do when he does the very thing he ought not do? First and foremost we need to identify the very thing we are doing that we ought not be doing as sin. Romans 7:20 clearly defines it as “sin that dwells in me.” Sin is the most corruptible thing. It poison’s our soul and keeps us from the freedom in Christ we so richly desire. In verse 24 Paul calls himself a wretched man and asks the question, “Who will set me free from the body of this death?”

His answer comes just one verse later, “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!”

1Jn 2:12 I remind you, my dear children: Your sins are forgiven in Jesus’ name. (MSG)

Praise be to Christ that we are forgiven. That each moment of the day is made available to us to start fresh and turn closer to Him again. Kind of like a “do-over.” Turn your heart towards Him and ask Him to forgive you today of the sins that you have committed against Him and against others. He will forgive you.

Thank you Father for your forgiveness. I want to do the right thing but sometimes I choose not to. Please forgive me when I do the very thing I ought not do. Show me your ways and help me to walk in them.