OCCUPANTS of the HOUSE 18 I realize that I don't have what it takes. I can will it, but I can't do it. 19 I decide to do good, but I don't really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. 20 My decisions, such as they are, don't result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets better of me every time. 21 It happens so regularly that it's predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. 22 I truly delight in Go's Commands. 23 but it's pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge. Rom 7: 18-23 (from THE MESSAGE; The Bible in Contemporary Language (c)2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved.) OCCUPANTS OF THE HOUSE attempts to reveal our true identity amongst that which is "deep within me", amidst the "not all of me joins in", the "parts of me" and the "they take charge". It is God who holds the design for our true identity, not our life experiences. That design cannot be altered by any means. It can only be hidden from us. OCCUPANTS OF THE HOUSE gives insight to the scripture "I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made" by introducing the inner family concept, the occupants, within the hearts of mankind; the place where we find the seemingly distinct self-presenting internal behaviours as the apostle Paul so humbly confesses.
