The Gap Between Knowing Better and Doing Better | Romans 7

Sin is a signal of something that I'm Sin is a signal of something that I'm desiring and a hole that I'm trying to desiring and a hole that I'm trying to desiring and a hole that I'm trying to fill. That doesn't mean then Paul says fill. That doesn't mean then Paul says fill. That doesn't mean then Paul says that over and over again. That means sin that over and over again. That means sin that over and over again. That means sin a lot. Sin a lot. No, that's not what a lot. Sin a lot. No, that's not what a lot. Sin a lot. No, that's not what that means, but it does mean I do sin a that means, but it does mean I do sin a that means, but it does mean I do sin a lot. lot. lot. And I have repeated patterns of sin. And I have repeated patterns of sin. And I have repeated patterns of sin. And I think what the spirit wants to And I think what the spirit wants to And I think what the spirit wants to invite me into is what is that a signal invite me into is what is that a signal invite me into is what is that a signal of? of? of? This is the Crossroads Daily. No This is the Crossroads Daily. No This is the Crossroads Daily. No experts, no perfect people, just honest experts, no perfect people, just honest experts, no perfect people, just honest conversations about what happens when conversations about what happens when conversations about what happens when the Bible shows up in real life. Hey, I'm Chuck. Hey, I'm Chuck. >> I'm Jamie. [music] >> I'm Jamie. [music] >> I'm Jamie. [music] >> I'm Josh. >> I'm Josh. >> I'm Josh. >> I'm Alex. >> I'm Alex. >> I'm Alex. >> And we are talking about Romans 7. >> And we are talking about Romans 7. >> And we are talking about Romans 7. Paul's words, man. I Paul's words, man. I Paul's words, man. I Who can't relate to this? He says, "For Who can't relate to this? He says, "For Who can't relate to this? He says, "For I do not understand my own actions." I I do not understand my own actions." I I do not understand my own actions." I guess we could just stop there. guess we could just stop there. guess we could just stop there. But he says, "For I do not do what I But he says, "For I do not do what I But he says, "For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing that I want, but I do the very thing that I want, but I do the very thing that I hate." And then later on he says, "I do hate." And then later on he says, "I do hate." And then later on he says, "I do not do the good that I want, but the not do the good that I want, but the not do the good that I want, but the evil that I do not want is what I keep evil that I do not want is what I keep evil that I do not want is what I keep doing." And I think he's just doing." And I think he's just doing." And I think he's just recognizing this real it's just a recognizing this real it's just a recognizing this real it's just a reality that we we we all are in that reality that we we we all are in that reality that we we we all are in that situation. So, I wonder if you can think situation. So, I wonder if you can think situation. So, I wonder if you can think of a a way or a place in which you would of a a way or a place in which you would of a a way or a place in which you would say, "Yeah, I relate to those words."

say, "Yeah, I relate to those words." say, "Yeah, I relate to those words." >> I feel like there's so many like deep >> I feel like there's so many like deep >> I feel like there's so many like deep things that I could go to, but the one things that I could go to, but the one things that I could go to, but the one that just now came to my mind was that just now came to my mind was that just now came to my mind was >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> Go with it. >> Go with it. >> Go with it. >> When I'm eating a pint of ice cream. And you're like And you're like I surely I could only eat half of this I surely I could only eat half of this I surely I could only eat half of this pint of ice cream and then you get to pint of ice cream and then you get to pint of ice cream and then you get to the end of the pint and you're like, the end of the pint and you're like, the end of the pint and you're like, "Why did I do that?" "Why did I do that?" >> [laughter] >> And you Like that's just what came to my >> And you Like that's just what came to my >> And you Like that's just what came to my mind. Like I'm sure yeah, I'm sure there mind. Like I'm sure yeah, I'm sure there mind. Like I'm sure yeah, I'm sure there are other are other are other more serious things, but [clears throat] more serious things, but [clears throat] more serious things, but [clears throat] for me it's the ice cream. for me it's the ice cream. for me it's the ice cream. >> The thing for me that's like that is >> The thing for me that's like that is >> The thing for me that's like that is sugar wafers. sugar wafers. sugar wafers. >> [snorts] >> [snorts] >> [snorts] >> Sugar wafers? >> Sugar wafers? >> Sugar wafers? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Like the ones like the cream >> Like the ones like the cream >> Like the ones like the cream >> Not Nilla wafers. No, not Nilla wafers. >> Not Nilla wafers. No, not Nilla wafers. >> Not Nilla wafers. No, not Nilla wafers. Like the ones that are like a bar, the Like the ones that are like a bar, the Like the ones that are like a bar, the creamy little It's it's so bad. I creamy little It's it's so bad. I creamy little It's it's so bad. I [laughter] I only buy them [laughter] I only buy them [laughter] I only buy them maybe [snorts] like once or twice a year maybe [snorts] like once or twice a year maybe [snorts] like once or twice a year because when I buy them, I just eat because when I buy them, I just eat because when I buy them, I just eat them. And they're crummy, so I keep them them. And they're crummy, so I keep them them. And they're crummy, so I keep them in a plastic bag. I look like a wino. in a plastic bag. I look like a wino. in a plastic bag. I look like a wino. I'm literally walking around with like a I'm literally walking around with like a I'm literally walking around with like a plastic bag and I'm eating them like plastic bag and I'm eating them like plastic bag and I'm eating them like [laughter] [laughter] [laughter] >> hiding >> hiding >> hiding >> Yes. Yes.

>> Yes. Yes. >> Yes. Yes. It's bad. It's bad, so It's bad. It's bad, so It's bad. It's bad, so >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> relate to the to that. >> relate to the to that. >> relate to the to that. >> I don't want to turn the corner. >> I don't want to turn the corner. >> I don't want to turn the corner. >> Yeah. But you can turn it. >> Yeah. But you can turn it. >> Yeah. But you can turn it. >> Turn it. >> Turn it. >> Turn it. >> But the So what you we're just saying >> But the So what you we're just saying >> But the So what you we're just saying the the base of the human condition, the the the base of the human condition, the the the base of the human condition, the base of who we are is that we will turn base of who we are is that we will turn base of who we are is that we will turn consistently to things consistently to things consistently to things that that that uh not necessarily are bad for us, but uh not necessarily are bad for us, but uh not necessarily are bad for us, but they're they're taking the place of they're they're taking the place of they're they're taking the place of something. something. something. >> That's right. >> That's right. >> That's right. >> That's right. >> That's right. >> That's right. >> I think for me the the I'm always trying >> I think for me the the I'm always trying >> I think for me the the I'm always trying to find affirmation. I'm always trying to find affirmation. I'm always trying to find affirmation. I'm always trying like even like even like even very few people would say, "Well, that very few people would say, "Well, that very few people would say, "Well, that guy's he needs a affirmation." Deep down guy's he needs a affirmation." Deep down guy's he needs a affirmation." Deep down like that is the thing. And I'm looking like that is the thing. And I'm looking like that is the thing. And I'm looking for people outside of for people outside of for people outside of what I know to be true about what God what I know to be true about what God what I know to be true about what God thinks about me. thinks about me. thinks about me. I'm looking for you all to tell me I'm I'm looking for you all to tell me I'm I'm looking for you all to tell me I'm good. good. good. And I think I mean And I think I mean And I think I mean there's many more bad things I do. there's many more bad things I do. there's many more bad things I do. But that that's the thing that comes to But that that's the thing that comes to But that that's the thing that comes to my mind right now is that I'm constantly my mind right now is that I'm constantly my mind right now is that I'm constantly posturing for someone to tell me I'm posturing for someone to tell me I'm posturing for someone to tell me I'm good. good. good. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> When all along the Lord has said you >> When all along the Lord has said you >> When all along the Lord has said you are. I I have said so.

are. I I have said so. are. I I have said so. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> And but that is the human that is the >> And but that is the human that is the >> And but that is the human that is the human condition. That's the human human condition. That's the human human condition. That's the human condition. condition. condition. >> Well, I think it's because we're always >> Well, I think it's because we're always >> Well, I think it's because we're always looking for something to make us feel looking for something to make us feel looking for something to make us feel good. good. good. >> Yeah. [clears throat] >> Yeah. [clears throat] >> Yeah. [clears throat] >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Whether it's a bite of ice cream or >> Whether it's a bite of ice cream or >> Whether it's a bite of ice cream or other people's other people's other people's >> That's right. >> That's right. >> That's right. >> affirmations. Like it's I think probably >> affirmations. Like it's I think probably >> affirmations. Like it's I think probably what he's talking about here is like the what he's talking about here is like the what he's talking about here is like the human condition is selfishness. Like human condition is selfishness. Like human condition is selfishness. Like that's always going to be our default is that's always going to be our default is that's always going to be our default is like what's good what's good for me. Or like what's good what's good for me. Or like what's good what's good for me. Or at least I feel like this it's talking at least I feel like this it's talking at least I feel like this it's talking about this constant battle in your mind. about this constant battle in your mind. about this constant battle in your mind. You're like the cartoon of like the the You're like the cartoon of like the the You're like the cartoon of like the the two the angel and the devil yes the two the angel and the devil yes the two the angel and the devil yes the angel and the devil on your shoulders angel and the devil on your shoulders angel and the devil on your shoulders and they're like constantly battling and and they're like constantly battling and and they're like constantly battling and whether you've been following Jesus for whether you've been following Jesus for whether you've been following Jesus for a day or a day or a day or years, I think there's some sort of years, I think there's some sort of years, I think there's some sort of battle that remains because we're always battle that remains because we're always battle that remains because we're always fighting against that human condition of fighting against that human condition of fighting against that human condition of like what's good for me and selfishness like what's good for me and selfishness like what's good for me and selfishness because that's what my flesh is always because that's what my flesh is always because that's what my flesh is always going to want.

going to want. going to want. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Now here's the question. Why is it good >> Now here's the question. Why is it good >> Now here's the question. Why is it good news that Paul and scripture is so news that Paul and scripture is so news that Paul and scripture is so honest about our sin condition? So honest about our sin condition? So honest about our sin condition? So honest about the fact that this is just honest about the fact that this is just honest about the fact that this is just part of the human experience to to have part of the human experience to to have part of the human experience to to have these things and it makes me think about these things and it makes me think about these things and it makes me think about the U2 song I still haven't found what the U2 song I still haven't found what the U2 song I still haven't found what I'm looking for. Like we're always going I'm looking for. Like we're always going I'm looking for. Like we're always going to have to have to have this hunger unless we allow Jesus to Why this hunger unless we allow Jesus to Why this hunger unless we allow Jesus to Why why do you think it's good that the why do you think it's good that the why do you think it's good that the Bible's so honest about that? And that Bible's so honest about that? And that Bible's so honest about that? And that Paul's so honest about that. Paul's so honest about that. Paul's so honest about that. >> I think part of it is the hope. Like if >> I think part of it is the hope. Like if >> I think part of it is the hope. Like if there isn't the hope that this is a there isn't the hope that this is a there isn't the hope that this is a struggle or this is something that struggle or this is something that struggle or this is something that everyone has dealt with, then it would everyone has dealt with, then it would everyone has dealt with, then it would be really easy to be like, well screw be really easy to be like, well screw be really easy to be like, well screw it. it. it. I'm just I'm just I'm just devolve to my baser self. Like there's devolve to my baser self. Like there's devolve to my baser self. Like there's no way that I can get there. I can't get no way that I can get there. I can't get no way that I can get there. I can't get there. And that's what the good news is, there. And that's what the good news is, there. And that's what the good news is, right? Like and I think sometimes right? Like and I think sometimes right? Like and I think sometimes if we ignored that, then we kind of fall if we ignored that, then we kind of fall if we ignored that, then we kind of fall into the place of like the Pharisees of into the place of like the Pharisees of into the place of like the Pharisees of like, well like, well like, well then I'm whitewashed on the outside and then I'm whitewashed on the outside and then I'm whitewashed on the outside and I'm filthy on the inside. Um and I just I'm filthy on the inside. Um and I just I'm filthy on the inside. Um and I just think that that is just true.

think that that is just true. think that that is just true. >> Yeah, I grew up going to pretty like >> Yeah, I grew up going to pretty like >> Yeah, I grew up going to pretty like conservative Christian church and I conservative Christian church and I conservative Christian church and I I don't think that people talked enough I don't think that people talked enough I don't think that people talked enough about what their sins were or even just about what their sins were or even just about what their sins were or even just maybe it wasn't even sin, just like the maybe it wasn't even sin, just like the maybe it wasn't even sin, just like the hard stuff maybe in general that you hard stuff maybe in general that you hard stuff maybe in general that you were going through because I think in were going through because I think in were going through because I think in our culture religion has kind of turned our culture religion has kind of turned our culture religion has kind of turned this into sin is bad and you cover it this into sin is bad and you cover it this into sin is bad and you cover it up. up. up. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> And what you're saying is, no, sin is >> And what you're saying is, no, sin is >> And what you're saying is, no, sin is bad and we need to talk about it. Like bad and we need to talk about it. Like bad and we need to talk about it. Like because we need that hope and I don't because we need that hope and I don't because we need that hope and I don't know if I don't know if I've always know if I don't know if I've always know if I don't know if I've always experienced that because I know that experienced that because I know that experienced that because I know that there there there there have been times in my life where there have been times in my life where there have been times in my life where I've sinned and I haven't I've sinned and I haven't I've sinned and I haven't wanted to tell I don't want to tell wanted to tell I don't want to tell wanted to tell I don't want to tell anyone. I don't want to tell anyone anyone. I don't want to tell anyone anyone. I don't want to tell anyone because I feel like there's like shame because I feel like there's like shame because I feel like there's like shame and like yuck to it and so I'm not going and like yuck to it and so I'm not going and like yuck to it and so I'm not going to like tell anyone about that but we to like tell anyone about that but we to like tell anyone about that but we have to.

have to. have to. >> Right. Radical radical thought. >> Right. Radical radical thought. >> Right. Radical radical thought. Sin is a signal. Sin is a signal. Sin is a signal. Sin is a signal of something that I'm Sin is a signal of something that I'm Sin is a signal of something that I'm desiring and a hole that I'm trying to desiring and a hole that I'm trying to desiring and a hole that I'm trying to fill. That doesn't mean then Paul says fill. That doesn't mean then Paul says fill. That doesn't mean then Paul says that over and over again. That means sin that over and over again. That means sin that over and over again. That means sin a lot. Sin a lot. No, that's not what a lot. Sin a lot. No, that's not what a lot. Sin a lot. No, that's not what that means but it does mean I do sin a that means but it does mean I do sin a that means but it does mean I do sin a lot. lot. lot. And I have repeated patterns of sin. And I have repeated patterns of sin. And I have repeated patterns of sin. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> And I think what the spirit wants to >> And I think what the spirit wants to >> And I think what the spirit wants to invite me into is what is that a signal invite me into is what is that a signal invite me into is what is that a signal of? of? of? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> And how can you follow those clues >> And how can you follow those clues >> And how can you follow those clues painful and difficult as it is in painful and difficult as it is in painful and difficult as it is in community to actually figure out what community to actually figure out what community to actually figure out what will fill will fill will fill >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> that you are desiring, you know? >> that you are desiring, you know? >> that you are desiring, you know? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Yeah. I well, you guys know any chance I Yeah. I well, you guys know any chance I Yeah. I well, you guys know any chance I get I'm going to bring up a musical. get I'm going to bring up a musical. get I'm going to bring up a musical. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> So, here we I mean, here we go. It's >> So, here we I mean, here we go. It's >> So, here we I mean, here we go. It's well, this musical is Jekyll and Hyde well, this musical is Jekyll and Hyde well, this musical is Jekyll and Hyde and so most people know that story. Even and so most people know that story. Even and so most people know that story. Even if you've never seen the musical, if you've never seen the musical, if you've never seen the musical, excellent music. Go listen to it. But it excellent music. Go listen to it. But it excellent music. Go listen to it. But it it's this whole concept that we were it's this whole concept that we were it's this whole concept that we were talking about of like good versus evil. talking about of like good versus evil. talking about of like good versus evil. Like that's the whole story of Jekyll Like that's the whole story of Jekyll Like that's the whole story of Jekyll and Hyde and but there's this song in and Hyde and but there's this song in and Hyde and but there's this song in the musical called Facade and it talks the musical called Facade and it talks the musical called Facade and it talks about how everyone has this evil side to about how everyone has this evil side to about how everyone has this evil side to them but during the daytime we put on a them but during the daytime we put on a them but during the daytime we put on a facade. Like we put on this costume or facade. Like we put on this costume or facade. Like we put on this costume or this mask or this identity where I'm this mask or this identity where I'm this mask or this identity where I'm good, I'm perfect, I'm great but then at good, I'm perfect, I'm great but then at good, I'm perfect, I'm great but then at the night you like let that out because the night you like let that out because the night you like let that out because there's that there's that part of us there's that there's that part of us there's that there's that part of us that has to come out in some way. And so that has to come out in some way. And so that has to come out in some way. And so if we're covering up the signals, then

if we're covering up the signals, then if we're covering up the signals, then we're like suppressing it and can't we're like suppressing it and can't we're like suppressing it and can't actually address what it is that we actually address what it is that we actually address what it is that we might need. So might need. So might need. So there's your [laughter] there's your uh there's your [laughter] there's your uh there's your [laughter] there's your uh musical musical musical of the day. of the day. of the day. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> So I have been actually talking a lot >> So I have been actually talking a lot >> So I have been actually talking a lot about this kind of thing with different about this kind of thing with different about this kind of thing with different groups of people. And so we are groups of people. And so we are groups of people. And so we are Christians. That's not a mystery. Christians. That's not a mystery. Christians. That's not a mystery. Followed Jesus. Followed Jesus. Followed Jesus. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> And what you were saying it hit me. It's >> And what you were saying it hit me. It's >> And what you were saying it hit me. It's like what you went to a church and you like what you went to a church and you like what you went to a church and you you what you felt was I sin so I hide you what you felt was I sin so I hide you what you felt was I sin so I hide it. it. it. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> I would say the church is culpable in >> I would say the church is culpable in >> I would say the church is culpable in some of the ways we treat sin in our some of the ways we treat sin in our some of the ways we treat sin in our personal lives. personal lives. personal lives. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> We often as a as a body, though we are I >> We often as a as a body, though we are I >> We often as a as a body, though we are I I I said this earlier today. We are I I said this earlier today. We are I I said this earlier today. We are supposed to be salt in the world and supposed to be salt in the world and supposed to be salt in the world and bring something to the world. And at the bring something to the world. And at the bring something to the world. And at the same time we are supposed to be able to same time we are supposed to be able to same time we are supposed to be able to go I'm a fallen broken human. go I'm a fallen broken human. go I'm a fallen broken human. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> So are you. End of story. Let's go get >> So are you. End of story. Let's go get >> So are you. End of story. Let's go get some grace. some grace. some grace. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Amen. >> Yeah. Amen. >> Yeah. Amen. >> So I think >> So I think >> So I think it is and for me it all boils down to it is and for me it all boils down to it is and for me it all boils down to it's not so it's not I know it's good it's not so it's not I know it's good it's not so it's not I know it's good and bad. I think it's a trust issue. I and bad. I think it's a trust issue. I and bad. I think it's a trust issue. I think it's a trust issue and a belief think it's a trust issue and a belief think it's a trust issue and a belief that God is real. What does Hebrews say?

that God is real. What does Hebrews say? that God is real. What does Hebrews say? We have to we have to believe uh We have to we have to believe uh We have to we have to believe uh >> Yeah, believe that he is >> Yeah, believe that he is >> Yeah, believe that he is >> Believe that he is real and he exists >> Believe that he is real and he exists >> Believe that he is real and he exists and he has good things for those who and he has good things for those who and he has good things for those who earnestly seek him. earnestly seek him. earnestly seek him. How often do we deliver that message to How often do we deliver that message to How often do we deliver that message to people? Not enough. people? Not enough. people? Not enough. >> Not enough at all. >> Not enough at all. >> Not enough at all. >> We deliver >> We deliver >> We deliver even to my own soul I say just get even to my own soul I say just get even to my own soul I say just get better, do better, do better. better, do better, do better. better, do better, do better. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> That is not what the Lord says. He says >> That is not what the Lord says. He says >> That is not what the Lord says. He says come to me all who are weary and heavy come to me all who are weary and heavy come to me all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest. laden and I will give you rest. laden and I will give you rest. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> That is good news. >> That is good news. >> That is good news. >> It is good news. I mean I and and it's >> It is good news. I mean I and and it's >> It is good news. I mean I and and it's why I love how Paul finishes. I mean he why I love how Paul finishes. I mean he why I love how Paul finishes. I mean he says wretched man that I am, who will says wretched man that I am, who will says wretched man that I am, who will deliver me from this body of death?" deliver me from this body of death?" deliver me from this body of death?" Like I feel like he's been working up to Like I feel like he's been working up to Like I feel like he's been working up to that question for the first seven that question for the first seven that question for the first seven chapters of Romans. Like, chapters of Romans. Like, chapters of Romans. Like, "This is a problem. Sin is a problem. "This is a problem. Sin is a problem. "This is a problem. Sin is a problem. All of this." Who's going to And then All of this." Who's going to And then All of this." Who's going to And then the next thing he says, he says, "Thanks the next thing he says, he says, "Thanks the next thing he says, he says, "Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our be to God through Jesus Christ our be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord." I think to the question of why Lord." I think to the question of why Lord." I think to the question of why this is good news, this is good news, this is good news, it's because there is a deliverer. it's because there is a deliverer. it's because there is a deliverer. It's because at the end of the day, our It's because at the end of the day, our It's because at the end of the day, our sin problem doesn't have to get solved sin problem doesn't have to get solved sin problem doesn't have to get solved by us, but there actually is a savior.

by us, but there actually is a savior. by us, but there actually is a savior. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> And you know, as we continue to have >> And you know, as we continue to have >> And you know, as we continue to have these conversations in Romans, I think these conversations in Romans, I think these conversations in Romans, I think the beauty the beauty the beauty of Jesus' rescue of Jesus' rescue of Jesus' rescue can only be seen if I am honest about can only be seen if I am honest about can only be seen if I am honest about the brokenness of my condition. the brokenness of my condition. the brokenness of my condition. >> That's right. >> That's right. >> That's right. >> And so, you know, today as we move into >> And so, you know, today as we move into >> And so, you know, today as we move into our day, live in the tension of both of our day, live in the tension of both of our day, live in the tension of both of those things. There is a brokenness those things. There is a brokenness those things. There is a brokenness that's probably greater than you can that's probably greater than you can that's probably greater than you can even imagine, but man, if you can just even imagine, but man, if you can just even imagine, but man, if you can just own that, let sin be a signal even, own that, let sin be a signal even, own that, let sin be a signal even, I think it sets you up for the beauty of I think it sets you up for the beauty of I think it sets you up for the beauty of the rescue [music] that Jesus wants to the rescue [music] that Jesus wants to the rescue [music] that Jesus wants to offer to you.