Romans. The Believer and Law The Dichotomy of the Christian Life. Chapter 7:14-25

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1 O Romans The Believer and Law The Dichotomy of the Christian Life Chapter 7:14-25 ne of the hardest things in the Christian life is the constant struggle between the sin which dwells within and the desire to do what pleases God. At times we probably feel like it is just too hard. Why do we always fight against accepting the reality of our walk? Jeff Bridges, speaking of Romans 6, states, in The Pursuit of Holiness. In Chapter 6 (of his book) we saw how sin still lives within us, waging its guerrilla warfare through evil desires and deceiving our minds. It may well seem that whatever hope for holiness was held out in Chapter 5 was effectively taken away in Chapter 6. What good does it do, you may ask, to be told that war with sin was won by Christ in His death on the cross if I am still harassed and often defeated by sin in my heart? To experience practical, everyday holiness, we must accept the fact that God in His infinite wisdom has seen fit to allow this daily battle with indwelling sin. But God does not leave us to do battle alone. Just as He delivered us from the overall reign of sin, so He has made ample provision for us to win the daily skirmishes against sin. 1 Depending on how one approaches Paul, this can be a depressing section because it can leave us with a hopeless attitude towards the Christian life. If Paul can t defeat sin, then how can we? But, how we perceive the battle is directly tied, as we will see, to where we put our focus, either on the sin within, or the Lord. I Introduction II The Struggle of the Flesh Verses III The Battle of the Two Laws Verses IV The Peacemaker Verse 25 V Conclusion This is seen as a difficult passage and it certainly can be misunderstood if it is dealt with out of the context of the balance of Romans. Commentators generally have three ways of looking at it. First, some see Paul talking to those who are unbelievers. This is why they experience a constant struggle. The problem with this is Paul is obviously speaking to believers, those who desire to please God, which isn t a quality found in the unbeliever. Second, if we look at the passage in a vacuum, we might draw the conclusion Paul is saying the believer s normal way of life is one of constant warfare between two natures. This is both depressing and inconsistent with what we find in coming chapters. While the battle may be ongoing, it isn t to be for focus of our lives. Remember, we aren t slaves to sin. 1 Bridges, Jerry, The Pursuit of Holiness, Navpress, Colorado Springs, CO, 1978, p

2 Finally, there is a third position. This view holds that Paul is beginning a discussion which deals with the process of maturing as a believer and what it means to walk before the Lord. This sees the passage as the opening of that discussion. I believe this is the one that is most consistent with what follows. It is this approach we will consider this morning. I keep hearing a question about how we, as Christians, deal with law, freedom from law, and our responsibility to keep God s commands. Some argue God s standards haven t changed, which is true. Therefore, we are obligated to keep the law. Others argue, we have died to law, which is true. Therefore we have no obligation to keep it. We also know Christ has given us two commands which clearly we are obligated to keep. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments (Matthew 22:37-40). The question then is, what is the relationship between the believer and law? Paul sees a more complex issue with the existence of two laws, the law of God and the law of sin. And the real struggle is between these two. Verses 14-20: Paul starts by noting the obvious. The law is spiritual. At the outset Paul wants it understood that he is not depreciating the law, for it is spiritual that is, emanating from God (vv.22, 25) who is Spirit (John 4:24). Of course, it is true also that the law as a part of Scripture is the product of the Holy Spirit, who inspired the writers. But that aspect is not prominent here. The law is a reflection of the character of God. Godly people recognize this fact ( we know ). 2 And this is the problem, in fact, this points out the whole purpose of law. God is spiritual, therefore the law is spiritual. This forces us to see our own lack of spirituality, or as Paul says, we are unspiritual. And with a lack of spirituality comes slavery to sin. This appears contrary to Paul s position that we are no longer slaves to sin. The NIV Study Notes state: Even a believer has the seeds of rebellion in his heart. sold as a slave to sin. A phrase so strong that many refuse to accept it as descriptive of a Christian. However, it may graphically point out the failure even of Christians to meet the radical ethical and moral demands of the gospel. It also points up the persistent nature of sin. 3 Though we are saved, and no longer slaves to sin, we still sin. Harrison, speaking to the issue of slavery states: The slavery extends to the totality of his being. It numbs and blinds him, for he confesses that he does not know what he is doing (v.15). It is a graphic picture of many an action carried out by a slave, going through certain motions under the authority and direction of a master. If there appears to be obedience, it is really not a matter of volition, but something almost mechanical. Paul s figure of slavery is 2 Harrison, Everett F., The Expositor s Bible Commentary, Romans, Zondervan Interactive Publishing House, Grand Rapids, MI, NIV Study Bible Notes, Zondervan Interactive Publishing House, Grand Rapids, MI, 1999 ) 116 (

3 cogent here, since he is forced to carry out what he does not want to do, what he really hates, whereas what he would like to do never seems to materialize (v.15). 4 When we give in to the unspiritual then we live as if we are still slaves to sin. Being unspiritual in the NIV is translated carnal in the KJV. This is a term we throw around easily. We talk about the carnal Christian. Dr. McGee expands on the carnality this way: Carnality refers to this old human mind and spirit and nature which occupies and uses the flesh so that actually the flesh itself is contaminated with sin. (For example, look upon the face of a baby and then look at the face fifty years later. Sin has written indelible lines even upon the surface of the body.) Flesh is inert and has no capabilities or possibilities toward God. It is dominated by a sinful nature, the ramifications of which reach into the inmost recesses of the body and mind. The frontal lobe of the brain is merely an instrument to devise evil. The motor neurons are ready to spring into evil excesses. The heart of man is desperately wicked. He wants to do the things that are evil, and the body responds. Paul describes his pitiful plight as a slave sold to a Simon Legree taskmaster with a whiplash of evil. 5 And this is the conundrum in which Paul describes himself. He finds himself doing the things he doesn t want to do. And to add insult to injury, he finds he isn t doing the things he wants to do. Does this sound familiar? If Paul, as a believer, struggles with acting as he desires to, then I guess we shouldn t be surprised that we have the same struggles. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak (Matthew 26:41). But, this doesn t mean Paul is saying it always has to be this way. Also, he wants to make sure his readers understand one thing. Nothing he is saying should be construed to mean there is a problem with law. The law is good. This means the struggle is within us and not with the law. What is within is sin. And where we get in trouble is when we expect that now as believers to have to live under the law to maintain our salvation. I know I m being redundant, but it is important to remember Paul is not talking about some abstract Christian experience. Paul is describing a struggle we all experience at one time or another. This is the reality of living in a fallen world. Paul is describing the battle between the sin that lives within and the spiritual nature that comes from God. It is what comes from God that causes Paul to want to do good. But it is the indwelling sin which cause him to sin. This duality was understood in Judaism though it didn t understand the implications. The Rabbis taught that within man there are two impulses, both attributable to God. One is evil (usually understood as present from birth but inactive during the early years); the other good, making itself felt at the time a Jewish lad at thirteen became a son of the law. Thereafter the two impulses contend for mastery within the person. The rabbinic remedy suggested for this situation was a devoted study and application of the law. At this point, however, Paul s presentation differs radically from the rabbinic view, for he stoutly maintains that the law, despite its divine origin and intrinsic excellence, cannot counteract the power of sin. 6 4 Harrison 5 McGee, J. Vernon, Thru the Bible with J. Vernon McGee, Vol. 4, Matthew - Romans, Thomas Nelson Inc., Nashville, TN 1982, p Ibid. ) 117 (

4 Verses 21-24: Here is where we see the difference between the believer and unbeliever. It isn t that Paul doesn t sin. But, while he does, at the same time his heart delights in God s law. This issue isn t what is Paul s desire is, the issue is what are his actions. As we work at being obedient, our focus is on law and then we fail. As we look towards God and desire to please Him, we find ourselves being obedient and then we experience victory. The question is: is our focus on law or God? Here is where I want to make an aside. If we want to please God and at the same time we also struggle with sinning, then we should realize it isn t always easy to tell whether someone is saved or not just based on actions. We need to be more loving and less judgmental when considering others. This was certainly Jesus warning. Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, Let me take the speck out of your eye, when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother s eye (Matthew 7:1-5). Back to Paul. He says there are actually two laws, the law of God and the law of sin. These are at constant war with each other. And we are the battlefield on which they are fighting their skirmishes. And it is this war which has lead to his frustration, primarily with himself. Woe to me! I cried. I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty. (Isaiah 6:5). What is important here is Paul s realization that he cannot get out from under this struggle through his own strength. In fact he is helpless to solve his problem. And law isn t the solution because, as we ve already seen, it used by sin to increase transgressions. Verse 25: This last verse is a bit difficult. Some want to see it as eschatological. For suddenly, in the midst of this darkness a light shines forth, and that light is the Light, a vision of Christ. There is a struggle, but it is one which can be won. Those who see the passage as eschatological, considering the second half of the verse, see victory as coming when we are taken to be with Christ. And certainly, complete victory, total breaking of sins power will only come when we are with the Lord. But Paul is talking about the possibility of ongoing victory. How is it won is what Paul will tell us about in coming chapters, but for now let s just say, it is won by taking our eyes off the struggle with sin and putting it on Christ. Christ is the peace maker, not by reconciling the two laws but by giving victory over sin. Yes we may struggle with the law of sin in our flesh but with our mind we obey the law of God. Mills puts it this way: Sin cannot conquer any child of God. Victory is assured no matter how discouraging the struggle may often seem to be. Christ removes all doubts and allays all fears. Let not your heart be troubled (John ) 118 (

5 14:1) are the comforting and reassuring words of the Saviour to every troubled believer. Verse 25 is the summary of verses 14 to 24 of this chapter. Are you tired and weary of sin? Is your burden too heavy? Is your life filled with frustrations? Then come to the Saviour. He invites you, Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28). 7 Conclusion: The struggle gets old at times. The problem is, as believers, we often try to live by law just as the Jew did. And as a consequence we feel defeated. This is a reasonable way to feel. But the answer to the problem of defeat encompasses two points. First, while we may serve sin at times with our flesh, we also serve God with our mind. And God allows the struggle to continue, so it must be for our blessing. And, it is. As Mills notes: The warfare that is perpetually being fought in the life of the believer, if carried on victoriously, will prove to be for his greatest good. It keeps him spiritually alert, in the spirit of prayer, searching the Scriptures, relying upon the Holy Spirit, witnessing to others of the love of God, looking for the coming of Christ. Last, but not least, it will prove to be the purifying ingredient in living a holy life. This alertness of the Christian is the weapon or instrument that God uses for His Glory, an alertness which can be relied upon for the spreading of the Gospel. 8 Secondly, we only fail when we fall into the trap of believing we are to live the Christian life, instead of remembering we are to let God live it through us by the power of His Spirit. And so we are greatly blessed through the struggle. What Paul is demonstrating here isn t a negative life, but instead, in the context of all of Romans, one that can be victorious as long as we keep our eyes on the Lord instead of ourselves. This is the process Paul wants us to understand as we move on to the next chapters. Paul starts here with the struggle, but in the coming chapters, he reminds us how we move on from uncertainty to confidence in the Lord. He uses himself as the example so we can identify with the struggle. But as we will see, he isn t saying we need to be stuck there. As Stuart Briscoe puts it: The picture of the battle of the soul is clearly sketched by Paul as he carefully chooses words with military connotations. He describes sin as warring against the law of his mind with the result that he is brought into captivity. It is fitting that he continues the theme by using the expression commonly employed by soldiers wounded in battle and in need of help when he writes, Who will deliver me? No doubt he feels that he has been badly wounded in his struggle against sin and desperately needs help. The phrase body of death in verse 24 is clearly related to the body of sin (Rom. 6:6) and does not mean that the body is dead any more than the earlier phrase meant the body was sinful. His meaning is that the body, through its susceptibility to the power of sin, can be the instrument of sinful acts which lead eventually to death, and such is his burden that he longs to be released from the bondage. Some commentators, like Calvin, interpreted this to mean a desire to die and be through with sin once and for all, but this hardly seems to fit in with the next things Paul teaches. It would be wiser to see Paul s heartfelt cry as a longing for a fuller life rather than for a quicker death. His response to his own query is a powerful as it is brief. Thank God, he says, through Jesus Christ deliverance from the ongoing power of sin will be experienced. Without amplifying this electrifying statement, which he will deal with in the next chapter, Paul tempers his exultant cry of promised victory with a balanced reminder: the war is not over and the battle will continue, but with the certainty of victory instead of the inevitability of defeat. The ongoing conflict will feature a mind that serves the law of God and the flesh that serves the law of sin. Without the intervention of the living 7 Mills, Sanford, C., A Hebrew Christian looks at Romans, American Board of Missions to the Jews, New York, NY, 1971, p Ibid., p ) 119 (

6 Christ through His Spirit in the life of the believer, it would be no contest. But through His power, the law which was powerless can be fulfilled as the power of sin is conquered from day to day. 9 Run, run and do, the Law commands But gives me neither feet nor hands. Better news the Gospel brings, It bids me fly and gives me wings Briscoe, D. Stuart, Mastering the New Testament, Vol. 6, Romans, Word Publishing, Waco, TX, 1982, p McGee, p ) 120 (

7 Romans The Believer and Law The Dichotomy of the Christian Life Chapter 7:14-25 I Introduction II The Struggle of the Flesh Verses III The Battle of the Two Laws Verses IV The Peacemaker Verse 25 V Conclusion I Introduction: II The Struggle of the Flesh:

8 III The Battle of the Two Laws: (Matthew 4:1-11; Galatians 3:24 KJV) IV The Peacemaker: V Conclusion: Personal Application: This week let us focus on the Lord and the victory he has given us over sin. Let us enjoy that victory that comes through dependency on His Spirit. Prayer for the Week: Lord, help me keep my focus on You and live in dependency on Your Holy Spirit. Let me enjoy the joy and freedom that comes with being a slave to righteousness. In Jesus name, amen.