A Journey in Search of Good

“For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice.”

Romans 7:19 NKJV

From the moment we started crawling we were surrounded by advice and assaulted by shouts such as: “This is not allowed” or “Be careful”. As we grew up we all had the necessary experiences that made us aware of what was dangerous for us and for others, and what we could do safely. Once we grew up, even if we had developed a suitable sense of responsibility, others didn't always trust us. How many times have you heard someone say “Did you do it right?” I'm sure you've lost count of how many times you've heard “You did it wrong”. And even worse when you believe you have done well and instead you are reprimanded. In the end, the judgment of others should not influence you in any way, as it is well known that what is right for us is not right for everyone. Sometimes that “you did wrong” helps us grow, when it is accompanied by a feeling of love and protection that expresses brotherly advice. Otherwise it would be a sterile, destructive, demotivating and even humiliating criticism. In presenting Onesimus' case to Philemon, Paul asked: “...But without your consent I wanted to do nothing, that your good deed might not be by compulsion, as it were, but voluntary.” (Philemon v. 14). And here our reflection arises, that is, on the will to do good.

We all want to love and be loved, but every day in the name of this same love divisions are created, people are neglected and forgotten. In the same way we want justice and peace while injustices are committed, violence increases, wars break out... The apostle reminds us that evil is more powerful than our will, to the point that the life of every human being is marked by sin and destined for death (Romans 3:23). We could title the words to the Romans as “the confessions of Paul”, who denounces a situation of profound uneasiness and a “compulsion” towards evil, familiar to every human being. Personally, I experience this drama daily, constantly finding myself struggling with my deepest will. And I don't think I'm the only one to experience this dilemma between doing evil and not doing good. But why is this struggle so difficult? Why do my limbs struggle to follow the will inherent in my heart and my spirit? The reason could be simple. Since I am a person, the body I carry around with me is the result of a process conditioned by many external realities that often take over: a body of death inhabited by sin (vv. 20-22). It is as if there were an inner division between the desire to do good and the inability to actually do it.

Yet, faced with this situation, Paul doesn't raise the white flag and give in to pessimism. On the contrary, he doesn't let himself be defeated by the inevitability of evil, renouncing any possible change, but, once he has understood that he cannot succeed alone, he entrusts himself to Christ who can free him. Otherwise the Law crushes us, leaving us with no way out. There is Someone who can free us from this deadly situation; there is a Savior capable of defeating the evil that leads to death. Do not despair! We are involved in a spiritual battle where the tempter tries to confuse us (Ephesians 6:12; 1 Peter 5:8), to distance us from God and from the path of good, by tempting our weak flesh (Matthew 14:38; 26:41). Let's not lose heart if we feel resistance to doing good: it's a sign that we are fighting against the adversary, whom the Lord has already defeated in his death and resurrection. The good news is that we are not alone, because a Comforter has been sent to us. We have the Holy Spirit who helps and sustains us, and whom we must ask the Father for every day to guide us in all truth. Let us nurture this relationship so that the fruits of the Spirit may grow and mature in us, the only ones to give us the exact condition of our flesh. And let's not underestimate the help of the Word that generates in us the same feelings, the same thoughts and the same love as Jesus. Let's strive to conform our will to that of our heavenly Father (Matthew 6:10; Luke 22:42).

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Weekly Bible Reading Plan #13

March 24, Joshua 16-18; Luke 2:1-24

March 25, Joshua 19-21; Luke 2:25-52

March 26, Joshua 22-24; Luke 3

March 27, Judges 1-3; Luke 4:1-30

March 28, Judges 4-6; Luke 4:31-44

March 29, Judges 7-8; Luke 5:1-16

March 30, Judges 9-10; Luke 5:17-39