The Do Do Passage

​In my bible, Romans is highlighted and underlined so much it’s practically a neon rainbow. One passage, however, often calls to me more than others. My dad calls it “The Do Do Passage” … now that I think about it, maybe that’s one of the reasons it sticks out!

Naomi White

Romans 7:15-19
I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.  And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good.  As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.
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​What a brain-twisting passage! The repetition of “do” and “do not do” mirrors my own mind as it tries to navigate this unsolvable problem. Paul outlines the struggle and the turmoil I feel as I seek to follow God’s good and right and desirable commandments. The pain that comes when I try to be good and righteous and fall short over and over again.

Earlier in the chapter, Paul tells me that in the very act of knowing the good and holy law I discover how incapable I am of fulfilling it. When he says “Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner” I feel the truth of it.

It seems so harsh, outlining this hopeless reality and my own broken heart that can never conquer sin. But immediately after thoroughly breaking down how impossible it is to be righteous despite my bone-deep desire, Paul tells me the good news.
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Romans 8:1-3
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son.
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This is a verse I have heard many times. Maybe it’s because I grew up in the church, perhaps it’s because I have so many memories of sleeping in the pew on my mom’s lap, but I find that the more I’ve heard a verse the harder it is for me to take the time to truly hear it anew — to feel its impact. However, as I read these two passages together, they take on a more powerful and personal meaning. I hope you too can hear this anew.

     In Christ, there is no condemnation.
     What I could never do, Christ came and did for me.
     Christ did this to set me free.

“Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Christ Jesus our Lord!” - Romans 7:25

Have a Delightful Day,
Naomi :)