My grandson Trey is old enough to roll over but too young to sit up. His knowledge is too puny to know how to do that. His physical strength is too feeble to get in that position and hold it. His sense of balance is too weak to keep him steady and upright.

The rest of us in our household do not (generally) use our strength to take advantage of his weakness.

Rather, we who are strong use that strength for his benefit, blessing, and well-being.

In doing so, we often receive joy, delight, and blessing in return.

And that’s how God intends life and relationships to be!

Physical, intellectual, spiritual, emotional, financial, educational — all the strengths He gives us, He gives us to use to . . . . Well, just read what He says:

“We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves” (Romans 15:1).

Romans 7, dark chapter that it is, still ranks as one my favorite chapters. Perhaps that’s because the brightness of the ending is enhanced by the darkness before.

Notice verse 19 and tell me it isn’t a dark, hopeless verse:

“For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.”

Or as I translate it from my Spanish Bible:

“Because I do not do the good which I want to do, but the wrong that I do not want to do, that I do.”

When it comes to doing right and living godly, I’m my own worst enemy!

“Miserable me!” exclaimed Paul (in Spanish in verse 24).

I agree.

But Jesus sets me free from myself. And though my flesh continues to work against me, He gives power to my spirit to overcome my flesh.

I can do the good I want to do!

Private