Romans 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwells no good thing: for to will is present with me… How much waste there is in the world! Beauty, and no eye to see it; music, and no ear to hear it; food, and no creature to eat it; land, barren for want of cultivation. As in nature, so among men, Paul was not peculiar in his experience. There is — I. MUCH NATIVE TALENT UNDEVELOPED. Parents pay no attention to the natural aptitudes of their children. One has vocal powers, another musical, others artistic, poetic, oratorical, or mechanical. In after life, when a born singer feels the rising of music in his soul, he would sing, but cannot, because lacking the acquired skill. So with the artist and the engineer. This is waste; loss to the community and to the individual. Many a gifted soul has been compelled to say, "I would, but I can't; and I can't, not because I want the ability, but the acquired art." II. MUCH SKILLED TALENT UNUSED. Men who have educated their minds, trained their fingers, and matured their natural aptitudes, cannot employ them. 1. Cannot find an appropriate sphere for them. They must live, and so are obliged to do something less genial and remunerative. The man who should have been at the plough is in the pulpit, and the man who should have been in the pulpit is behind a counter. These misplaced men say, "I would do better, but can't." 2. Many who have found appropriate spheres, cannot do their best, because they are hindered and discouraged. (1) Many a skilled artisan would do more and better work if better placed. Many a servant would be better with better masters. And many a Christian worker would do more if there were fewer hindrances and more helpful and stimulating conditions. (2) Men who can rise above such conditions are not always the best. They have often more force than intellect or goodness. There are many men and women who have good heads, warm hearts, and skilled fingers, but lack force, because the body is disordered. The helm, the compass, the captain, and the sea may be all right, but if there is no steam in the machine the vessel will make no headway. III. MUCH NATURAL AFFECTION UNEXPRESSED. There may be sap in the plant, but if there is no sun there will be no flower or fruit. Many hearts want sunshine; the cold chills them. They recoil from uncongenial influences. 1. Sometimes the head is so full of cares that the heart has no play. The mind may be so distracted that it has no time to think of the claims of the heart, or no time or power to respond to its promptings. 2. There are many who can, and who do, both think and feel, but "cannot" for want of means. How gladly would you do many things for those you love! But the hand is empty, the heart swells, and the tongue is dumb. "The good I would do, I do not," because I cannot. IV. MUCH SINCERE AND ARDENT PIETY UNMANIFESTED. "When I would do good, evil is present with me." Evil stands like a sentinel at the door of the heart to prevent good getting out, and if it gets out, to distort, cripple, and pollute it. 1. If veneration struggles to express itself in prayer, incarnate evil is at the heart and lips pleading "no time"; and if it struggles through, and makes time, then it distracts the thoughts. 2. If our affections would rise up to God, incarnate evil is there to fetter the soul; and if it escapes, then it presents innumerable idols to eye and heart. 3. If benevolence would show itself, incarnate selfishness bars the way; and if you overcome it, it will fill you with low motives. 4. If your affections try to be beautiful and tender, an evil temper distorts and pollutes them. 5. The life of the soul may be chilled and dwarfed by the want of piety in those around you.Conclusion: 1. It is possible for a man to feel himself to be greater than his little world, and greater than he can make it. 2. God does not expect more from us than we are capable of being and doing. Virtue under difficulties is of finer quality than under more favourable circumstances, and God regards quality more than quantity. The widow's mite was of more value than the greater offerings of the rich. He regards and rewards "the willing mind" where nothing more is possible. 3. We might have been better than we are. None of us have made the best use of our opportunities. 4. We might have done better than we have done. There is more cause for humility than for complaint. 5. We may do better in the future. There is no cause for despair. Let us not forget that it is in little things that love best expresses itself. Oh that we may so live and die that we may receive from the Master, "She hath done what she could." (Wickham Tozer.) Parallel Verses KJV: For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. |
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