For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing (Rom. 7:18-19).

Imagine a junior league coach instructing some young pitchers as they watch game films of historic major-leaguers. “Now watch how these pitchers work. I want you to focus on the catcher’s mitt, as they do. And square your shoulders to the plate, as they do. And follow through after the pitch, as they do.”

But then the film displays a pitching great whose course of life became tragic. When the young players see this pitcher, the coach says, “See how he tries to make every pitch perfect, and gets frustrated with every flaw. Don’t do that! If you expect yourself to be perfect, that will destroy you from the inside.”

Could the Apostle Paul be coaching Christians similarly? He uses his own example as one who strove to do everything perfectly for God, and confesses, “I … have not the ability to carry it out.”

If even a spiritual major-leaguer can’t always do what he or God wants, where does that leave the rest of us? Depending upon the grace of God! Just as Paul did, when he concludes, “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord.”  

Our inability to be perfect for a holy God could destroy us were it not for his gracious provision. By faith in Jesus we have the holiness we could not achieve and the encouragement to live more devotedly for the One who has loved us despite our imperfections. 

Prayer:
Father, thank you for freeing me from the pressure to be perfect in order to know or keep your love. You knew all my faults when you provided Jesus to save me. Help me to grow in that grace, as I keep living in thanksgiving for Jesus.