The Gospel of A Wretched Man
Reprtined wtih permission
When a man does not know he is doing something wrong, then naturally he must be told. And when a man is told he is doing something wrong, yet he does not fully understand, and continues in his ways, he must be told again. Furthermore, if a man comes to the realization that what he is doing is wrong, yet does not see it of much importance to change his deeds, he must again and again be encouraged to turn from his ways, but we begin to have a very hopeless and frustrating situation indeed.
Yet, there is perhaps the most tragic and demoralizing circumstance of them all: what can be done for the man who in his utmost of hearts desires to do that which is right, yet simply cannot? He knows what is right, he knows what he is doing is wrong. He craves to make amends, and through attempt after attempt seeks to attain the doing of that which is right. But, he cannot. It is not that he wills not, but he cannot. He has no power to do so. And so he continues to do wrong.
For instance, it is one thing for a man to be irrational. It is another thing for a man to know he is irrational, and not care. It is a completely new animal of a condition for a man to know he is irrational, wish not to be irrational, yet continue to be irrational, because he cannot in his own power do anything else. We have then what is called a wretched man.
When a man knows the right, wishes to do the right, but cannot, there is not much left for the man to do. What more can he do, for he has already mentally assented, but he cannot make his deeds reflect his mind and his will. So it seems, that the end to this sort of wretchedness requires a interference completely outside of the man himself. And when that man is finally delivered, his act now in accordance with his will, then he cannot stop praising the Deliverer who saved him from his own wretchedness of which he was powerless to break out of.
Romans 7:24-25