Title
I’m Wretched, He’s Good
Scripture
O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?
(Romans 7:24)
Devotional
When I think of who it was who said this, I am more than humbled with regard to what I must be. Nevertheless, it is the same answer for both--the Lord Jesus Christ. The wretchedness of mankind necessitates a Savior. No matter how good one may be; he or she is not good enough.
Does this mean that we should stop doing good? Not at all, we are to do good because of the goodness of God. “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”(1) Our goodness is not based on our doing good; it is based on the only one who is good, God. I cannot deliver myself from this body of death; only Christ can do that. All I can do is thank Him and obey Him. I am not saved because of my goodness; I am saved and now desire to do good. Nevertheless, even the good that I desire to do, I do not always succeed in doing it. Therefore, I likewise have to say, “O wretched man that I am...”
(1) 2 Corinthians 5:21