Devotion - Tuesday, March 12

The second half of Romans 7 contains verses which often confuse us.  They are a twisted mess; the perfect reflection of the twisted nature of our thoughts, our actions, and our intentions.

Paul writes:  "For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate."

Within the collection of Christian doctrines, there is one on "Original Sin."  Some mistake this doctrine to be a reference to the original act of sin, committed by Eve and Adam.  But it is even more original than that.  Original Sin is a reference to the impetus to sin which lies within each of us.  It is woven into our nature.  It is something we can never fully avoid.

We act in a particular way, hoping for a certain outcome.  But as we act we fail to see the dark side of our actions; we are incapable of understanding the full impact of what we do.  There are unintended - but very real - negative consequences to our actions.

So long as we are human (and not God), there will be mixed results to any of our actions.  This is what Original Sin refers to.

Paul continues:  "I can will what is right, but I cannot do it.  For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do."

We could, and perhaps ought, to despair over this state of affairs.  Paul seems close to doing so.  Until he finds the response.  "Who will deliver me from this body of death?  Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!"

When someone comes to me, expressing their dissatisfaction with my actions or pointing out the negative consequences of my behaviors, I stand ready to acknowledge my failings.  Having a firm grasp on the Doctrine of Original Sin, I can admit that I do not accomplish the good that I had intended or that my actions may have caused the exact option of what I was intending.  The heated attack looses its fire when I acknowledge this and when I warn them that there are likely to be other disappointing acts in our future together. 

Original Sin is not an excuse to fall short - but it is a good reminder that intentions and consequences don't always match up - and are likely not to do so in this life.