Romans 7:18
For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.
Paul declared that there is nothing good in him whatsoever, apart from the work of the Holy Spirit. If there were anything good in Paul, it was only because of God, through Christ Jesus, by the power of the Spirit guiding and directing him.
This belief is contrary to how the heart so desperately tries to deceive us. Our hearts constantly compare ourselves to other people and other situations, blinding us from a holy God. We justify our actions based upon the actions of others and justify our thoughts and intentions and our motives.
We must be mindful, though, that we are not held accountable to people but to a Person: Christ Jesus. He is the Word made flesh who dwelt among us. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature. Jesus Christ was born to the world, lived a sinless life, was crucified, resurrected on the third day, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father. All of the Law and all of the perfection of God is reflected and seen through Him. He is our standard.
In gazing at Christ, our hearts affirm that we do not have the ability in any aspect or form of our nature or being to reflect Christ. This we must affirm and know with all assurance, for if we do not, then we diminish our need and dependency on Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. Apart from Him, we can do nothing. For the Scripture even judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart, and we are held to that standard, rather than our own.
So let us come to the Lord and seek Him only. Let us repent and trust in Christ, knowing that in Him we have all assurance and fullness of joy, for He has promised to never leave us nor forsake us.
John 1:14, Hebrews 1:2–3, John 15:5, Hebrews 4:12
Father, I thank You for Christ. I thank You for the Holy Spirit who opens my eyes and my heart to the knowledge and the need for Christ. I thank You that the Holy Spirit makes known to me my inability and my dependency in Christ. Forgive me of my moralism and legalism, and grant me to know Christ and Christ alone. Grant me joy and freedom in Christ to do His will in all things and every-thing, for Your glory and my good. In His name I ask this. Amen