Why Do I Do What I Don't Want to Do?Sample

Remember Day 1, where we saw how the apostle Paul goes back and forth, hopelessly asking the question, why do I do what I don’t want to do? As we keep reading from that point in Romans 7, we see how he offers incredible hope at the beginning of chapter 8: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

“No condemnation” means no judgment. We can escape the consequences of our sin in eternity. That’s good news! How do we do it? We repent of our vices and turn to Jesus (Acts 3:19).

The aim of these devotionals—and the book they are based on—is not to bring shame or guilt upon you but to show you areas of your life where you may need to repent and turn toward the goals Jesus laid out for us. In fact, someone who has a relationship with Jesus Christ has a life marked by repentance. They show a willingness to change and not settle for pet sins.

If you continue in a sin, embracing that sin, cuddling with that sin, saying, “This is just part of who I am,” you need to be concerned. Because sin always leads to death and destruction. Repentance is turning from that and finding greater satisfaction in Jesus than the things of this world.

If you have a relationship with Jesus, there should be evidence you can point to, that shows it. Your life should produce righteousness. What do I mean by righteousness? The virtues, values, and morality that demonstrate your repentance because of what you do and how you live.

Although the struggle with sin goes on, and it may cause us to wonder about ourselves, the greater truth is that God has no condemnation for those who are in Christ. Let’s rejoice in grace, and live a life consistent with it!

Have you repented of your sin and begun to follow Jesus? If not, why not do it today?! And if you are already a Christian, what kind of ongoing repentance are you in need of right now?