Galatians 5:17

VERSE 17. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh.

VERSE 17. And these are contrary the one to the other; so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

Christ alone can supply us with perfect righteousness. Therefore we must always believe and always hope in Christ. "Whosoever believeth shall not be ashamed." (Romans 9:33.)

I remember how Doctor Staupitz used to say to me: "I have promised God a thousand times that I would become a better man, but I never kept my promise. From now on I am not going to make any more vows. Experience has taught me that I cannot keep them. Unless God is merciful to me for Christ's sake and grants unto me a blessed departure, I shall not be able to stand before Him." His was a God-pleasing despair. No true believer trusts in his own righteousness, but says with David, "Enter not into judgment with thy servant; for in thy sight shall no man living be justified." (Psalms 143:2) Again, "If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?" (Psalms 130:3.)