Desiring To Do Right; Yet, Doing Wrong

The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says:
“This is the covenant I will make with them
   after that time, says the Lord.
I will put my laws in their hearts,
   and I will write them on their minds.”

Then he adds:
“Their sins and lawless acts
   I will remember no more.”

And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary.
                                                                   (Hebrews 10:15-18 NIV)

We know the difference between right and wrong for the Holy Spirit has written the laws in our hearts and on our minds. We know what is right; we desire to do what is right; but, often we do not do it. We are not alone in this.

St. Paul wrote to the Romans:
"We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. 

So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!" 

                                                                          (Romans 7:14-25)

Thanks be to God, indeed! There is nothing that you can or need do. There is no need for further sacrifices for your sins. You have been delivered from your sins by the blood of Christ that was shed for you. Through Christ, your sins are forgiven! Our Father in heaven has put them out of His mind for the sake of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.

God's Peace - Pr. J