Romans 8:14-15 - The Spirit of Adoption

Romans 8:14-15 - 14 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!”

Message: The Spirit of Adoption

Time: This book was probably written between 56 and 57 B.C. Paul was in Greece, probably Corinth when he wrote. It was sent to Gentile believers, but also believers with a strong Jewish element.

What the Lord is Saying:

Reviewing
The book of Romans is a treatise on getting the gospel right. Romans 1 begins with Paul clearly putting forth that he is all about the gospel and he affirms the church in Rome for also being about the gospel. This is the tone and message that sets forth his communication. He begins with the problem of sin in 1:18 to 3:20 focusing on the Gentile and the Jew. And then the Gospel is ushered in 3:21 and the righteousness of Christ is communicated as well as the immediate results of being imputed with God's righteousness through chapter 5. And now we are at the tale end of sanctification (chapters 6-8) or how are we to live now that we are in Christ. Throughout this discussion of sanctification, Paul I believe wants to reiterate that God sees us differently now that we are justified. I am no longer in Adam, but in Christ and that is not because of me, but because of what Christ has done for me and all that I have done is believed and agreed with God's hand of providence in my life.

I believe from God's perspective, being justified immediately takes me to glorification. This is what the thief on the cross experienced (i.e. "Today you will be with me in paradise.). But, as I remain in this world, I grow in holiness. But, who I am in Christ never changes in that process of being sanctified.

That's hard to comprehend if we dwell on it, but I don't think I am to dwell on that. I am to accept God and His word for what it is and let the Spirit guide me.

Sons of God
Here is a promise in verse 14 that being led by the Spirit means I am a son of God. I remember that song we often sang in church as we assembled together for some function (another one of those great songs by Bill and Gloria Gaither):

I'm so glad I'm a part of the family of God
I've been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His blood!
Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod;
For I'm part of the family, the family of God.

It is an amazing thought that in Christ we become a family member of God's. People everywhere often state, "the most important thing in life is family." I hear this often in my job. One of my co-workers brother died suddenly last year. Did he die a great death? No. Did he put himself in a bad situation? Probably. But, you know, for her it was her brother and it didn't matter. It was her brother; her family member. And he died. There is nothing more important than family. And God wants us to know that we are now in the family of God.

Not spirit of slavery, but adopted children
We are not just members of the family of God, we are God's children and we can call God, Abba Father. We begin life with one association and then we are adopted, and our association changes. We have a different belonging that never changes. I've watched several movies and the thrill a child experiences living in an orphan, becoming adopted, being told they are wanted is an incredible picture that we have in Christ. We are wanted and valued. He wants us in His family.

Promise: I'm a member of God's family.

Romans 8:12-13 - Debtors to the Spirit

Romans 8:12-13 - 12 So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— 13 for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

Message:Debtors to the Spirit

Time: This book was probably written between 56 and 57 B.C. Paul was in Greece, probably Corinth when he wrote. It was sent to Gentile believers, but also believers with a strong Jewish element.

What the Lord is Saying:

Review and reaffirm
Verse 12 starts off with "so then" which prompts us to review. Reviewing is always good. I go back to chapter 7, verse 14 that says, "The law is spiritual, but I am of flesh." This was an important verse for Paul wanted to make it clear that the Law is a good thing for us. The Law had a good purpose, but it also exposed us and further defined the sin in our life. I think one could say that the Law's original intent was to set a standard that man would obey. Problem, no one can obey it completely. Why? Because of what is stated in chapter 5, verse 18, "through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men." Adam sinning meant we all sin. Sin entered the picture and death. But, thanks be to God, I have been set free from my body of sin/death (7:25). The Law condemned me, but Christ imputed righteousness to me so now I can reap the benefit of 8:1 that "there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus."

I'm not sure there is any greater joy in life than the realization that I am counted as worthy for not being worthy. The world trains us continually that in order to receive something good we must work hard (school grades, job pay, peer acceptance), but I am made clean not by doing, but simply by agreeing with God that I am a sinner and I need a redeemer.

I think of the Israelite's who stood at the edge of the red sea, still doubting and still in unbelief and yet God paved a way for them to safety by parting the the waters.

Again, look at what Paul does leading up to this verse.

Verse 2 - Life in Jesus has set me free
Verse 3 - Because Jesus sentenced sin to death while he was in the likeness of flesh
Verse 4 - Meeting the requirement of the Law
Verse 5 - So now the Spirit is in us, so now we live according to the Spirit
Verse 6 - I set my mind then on the Spirit for that is life and peace
Verse 7 - Reminder: The flesh is hostile to God
Verse 8 - Reminder: The flesh cannot please God
Verse 9 - I am changed, I have the Spirit of Christ in me
Verse 10 - The spirit is alive because of righteousness being imputed to me
Verse 11 - My life now has new life in me

And so Paul does what Paul does best is drill his point further. I am still amazed at people that can read these passages and not comprehend the truth or even be distorted down a different path. Paul goes over and over and over the same idea, finding new ways to reinforce it. Backwards and forwards.

I am under obligation to live by the Spirit
The sinner, not in Christ, walking in the way of the Law, is under obligation then to his flesh. When talking to people about their faith, I am often surprised when they say that they are living just to do the best they can, but in actuality, this is the paradigm in which they live and I should not be surprised. They are under obligation to their flesh. But, for the Christian in Christ a change has taken place. We are no longer under this obligation to the flesh. Yes, we have sinful tendencies as discussed in chapter 7, but our obligation is not the flesh. But, rather our obligation is the Spirit.

Is living by the flesh possible? Certainly, but I am a new creature in Christ, and so my bent or slant is to live by the Spirit.
 
Not the flesh
The way Paul introduces spirit living is not stressing what it should look like, but stressing emphatically what it should not look like. I am not under obligation to the flesh. I am not to live according to the flesh. If I do, I will die. That was the result of Adam sinning--death. I am no longer in Adam. I am to flee from things that harm me. I am to stay far from them. The tendency I have continually, as I live in the world, is to stay in the world and live the ways of the world. Paul says, "Don't do it."

Putting to death the deeds of the body
This is interesting. "Putting to death" expresses a process. As we engage in life and walk through life, we are putting to death the deeds of the body. Could it be that this is a process?

Twice today I sent emails to people, without first consulting a person involved in the email. I didn't give that person an opportunity to give their opinion. I didn't even think about it until both individuals wrote me separate messages and said, "I would appreciate you talking to me first to give me an opportunity to give a comment." I was not willful in not addressing them, but I just didn't consider it. My bent or slant was on my way of doing things, based upon believing my way was the best way and I didn't need anyone's opinion. But, I learned from it. And my focus is to be considerate of others and so I will change. My flesh is weak. But, I desire to live by the Spirit.

I don't know the evil always in my life. Sometimes it has to be pointed out to me. I think I'm fine, but then realize I am not. My hope is that I can continue to put to death the deeds of the body. I hope I can recognize my sin and continue to put it to death.

This also means I need to be careful about the expectations I place on other Christians to immediately have the same convictions that I have. We all have different past lives and old lives and different struggles. I must be dependent on God and realize He is changing people, but sometimes people are not quick to change. I can be involved in pointing things out, but I must remember, people may not accept my criticism very well, but that doesn't mean I should be silent. I must care enough to confront. But, I can't control outcomes.

Promise: From June 10 Tabletalk, "Justification secures our glorification, but sanctification is the road we travel between the two. We work with the Holy Spirit to grow in personal holiness."

Romans 8:10-11 - The Life-Giving Spirit

Romans 8:10-11 - 10 If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

Message:The Life-Giving Spirit

Time: This book was probably written between 56 and 57 B.C. Paul was in Greece, probably Corinth when he wrote. It was sent to Gentile believers, but also believers with a strong Jewish element.

What the Lord is Saying:

Review and Reflection
I continue to look at and examine the Spirit of God in my life. Sanctification has been the theme in Chapter 6-8. Sanctification being the process of Christ making us holy and separate from the world and our flesh. In Christ, we are new creatures (2 Corinthians 5:21), but that doesn't mean that we always act like new creatures. The challenge in my life is to live in the same way that God now sees me. I have been freed from sin, so I should live free from sin. The Law has no more dominion over me so I should live like the Law has no more dominion over Me. I still have sinful tendencies and still have the Law of sin and death tendencies, but the Spirit of God is alive in me and I need to submit to it so as to live in the way I have been intended to live.


I have been watching my daughter wrestle with this of late. She is living in two different worlds. On the one hand, as a believer in Christ, she loves and enjoys time with her friends that share her faith. She likes to grow in knowledge of God. She reads verses and has a thirst for it. And yet she still has her friends and boyfriend that don't share her beliefs. She enjoys her time with them and feels the love and acceptance from them, that sometimes I think she sees is missing from those at church. Church people often evaluate us and watch us to make sure we are aligned with truth, and when we aren't, they put up their guard and begin to sort of judge us. The judging is not bad. We need it. But, it is difficult nevertheless. It is hard to live in two different worlds. And I can see that my daughter is wrestling with this. It is kind of like a tennis match in her life, not so much like the one mentioned at the end of Chapter 7, but sort of similar.

The Spirit is Alive
The Spirit is Alive in the life of those who are in Christ. Romans 3:22 and 3:30 mention that righteousness is imputed to people by believing; by having faith. This is how Christ becomes in me. When I have faith and believe in what Christ has done from me, then sin is dead, but the spirit is alive.

And yet, do I live dead to sin all the time? No. Do I live alive in the spirit all the time? No. Yet, by being in Christ I am dead to sin and I am alive. Why? Because Christ is in me. Christ is my righteousness. I am alive because of righteousness being imputed to me.

The Spirit Dwells in Us
"If the Spirit of Him who raise Jesus" is a reference to the Father. It was God the Father who raised Jesus from the dead (Acts 2:24; I Corinthians 6:14; 2 Corinthians 4:14). The Spirit does not simply make a visit in the life of a believer but dwells or takes up residence in the life of the believer. The resurrection confirms two truths: (1) the resurrection of Christ and (2) The indwelling of the Spirit.

Promise: From Tabletalk, June 9, "The absence of the Spirit proves that the Lord has not justified us, and without justification, there is no life. But if we have been justified, then we do have the Spirit, and though our physical bodies still die, this death is no longer for our transgression as it is for the unbeliever; rather it serves to evidence the fact that God has not yet removed the presence of sin from us."

Romans 8:9 - The Indwelling Spirit of God

Romans 8:9 - However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.

Message: The Indwelling of the Spirit of God in Me

Time: This book was probably written between 56 and 57 B.C. Paul was in Greece, probably Corinth when he wrote. It was sent to Gentile believers, but also believers with a strong Jewish element.

What the Lord is Saying:

Review
The end of chapter 7 seemed to show a contrast being the Law and the Mind. That, as new creatures in Christ, we want to fulfill the Law, but we still have sinful tendencies. Chapter 8 seems to be contrasting a life lived in the flesh versus a life lived according to the Spirit.

If the Spirit Dwells in You.
Obviously, one of the more contentious applications in the Scripture is whether the Spirit of God is immediately a part of the believers life upon believing in Christ for our salvation or if there is some separate act whereby the influence of the Spirit comes into our life. That there is some type of indwelling that must take place.

Up to this point, there has been nothing about Paul's words to make it sound like there is some separate act. Romans 8:2 mentions "the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death." Romans 7:6 states that I have been released from the Law and serve in the Spirit. It is the Spirit that produces righteous living in my life. In reading chapter 7, verses 14-25 it speaks of this conflict between two natures. Verse 14, "The Law is spiritual, I am of flesh." When I don't do what I want, sin dwells in me (verse 20). So, even in the life of the Christian, there can be an indwelling of sin. And it culminates in verse 25 by reminding me that I am new in Christ. And because of being new I have a new mind. And I can serve the Law of God. But, I still have sinful tendencies.

So, what do I learn from chapter 7. I learn that I was made to die to the Law. I was made to be released from the requirements of the Law. I was made to be joined to Christ. And when I am joined, I might bear fruit for God. I don't like that word "might" because might is not definite but infers an option. The King James Version uses the word "should" which doesn't take on that much of a different meaning. I am to bring forth fruit and I can't bring forth fruit when I entwined with the doing the Law. Verse 6 seems to be clear that I have been released from the requirement of the Law, namely that I have been released from the Law being the judge and jury in my life. And now, I am to walk in newness of the Spirit. The rest of chapter 7 shows me two things: The importance of the Law to show me I'm a sinner and therefore, show me the need for a Savior. And also that in the life of a Christian there are two natures. Again, have I done anything to answer the question of whether or not the Spirit dwelling in me is automatic or a separate act? I don't think so. Not in chapter 7.

What happened in the previous chapter? Chapter 6 showed me that in Christ I am freed from sin (verse 7). In Christ my old self or ways have been crucified. But in 6:4 I see something familiar in the wording, "That i might walk in newness of life." So might could also mean a choice. I have a choice as to how I will walk. Consider myself dead to sin (verse 11). I have a choice as to how I live. Even though God sees me as dead to sin (verse 10, 11). God wants me to see myself the same way he sees me.

So, don't give sin the light of day (verse 12). Don't choose sin. In Chapter 6, the Spirit is not mentioned. The Flesh is mentioned one time to remind us that we are weak in the flesh (verse 19). People of grace are not to let sin be master over them for grace is contrary to sin. Obedience to the Law results in sin. But, people of grace are different.

But, I go back to my question, is there something separate about having a spirit dwell in me? Is there some separate act or is the indwelling of the spirit automatic? I don't know. I still don't see an answer to this in chapter 6 and 7. Again, Romans 8 speaks of living in the flesh versus living in the Spirit. A person is new in Christ but that doesn't mean a person lives in the Spirit. That's what I'm wondering.

In Chapter 5, I do have peace with God (verse 1). But, justification is definitely different from sanctification.

No Spirit, then you are not in Him
The end of verse 9 is therefore the part that confused me more, maybe. It says, "if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him." Clearly, I belong to Him. That has been established in the previous chapters upon my belief in Christ at the end of chapter 3. So, I do belong to Him. So, therefore, I have the Spirit of Christ. But, is having the spirit of Christ different from the indwelling of the Spirit. And if so, how does one, have this indwelling? Clearly, this is something I want so that I am not living in the flesh. The flesh cannot please God. So, I don't want the flesh. I don't want to serve the flesh. I don't want to obey sin. 

I don't think I have a conclusion at the moment. I have confused myself a little. 

One thing that does seem to be clear is that there is a new way of living. Don't let sin reign in me (chapter 6). I have peace with God (Chapter 5). The Law has no hold on me (chapter 7). Non-flesh living is Spirit living. So, if I have the Spirit of God do I also have the indwelling of the Spirit? It seems true that i have the Spirit of God upon conversion. I don't want sin. I don't want to be in the flesh. I want to live according to the Spirit.

Promise: The Spirit in Me is important for living not in the flesh.

Romans 8:7-8 - The Mind Set on the Flesh

Romans 8:7-8 - 7 because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, 8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

Message: The Flesh doesn't work

Time: This book was probably written between 56 and 57 B.C. Paul was in Greece, probably Corinth when he wrote. It was sent to Gentile believers, but also believers with a strong Jewish element.

What the Lord is Saying:

Review
Paul continues to look at the flesh in contrast to living according to the Spirit. Verse 1 is the promise from God that there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. This is a great verse of comfort. At the end of Chapter 7 was the clear understanding that our wills battle against each other, as new creatures in Christ, on one hand wanting to do what is good, but on the other hand, having sinful tendencies.

But, Chapter 8, brings good news, letting us know that we don't bear this wrestling on our own. We surrender ourselves to God and really, as new creatures in Christ, we walk according to the Spirit. If we just allow the Spirit to work in our lives, then we will have further peace in Christ. Yes, we have peace, according to Romans 5, upon believing and receiving Christ's righteousness, but we can experience life long, daily peace, by walking according to the Spirit.

The problem with a mind set on the flesh
Verse 7 reiterates and clarifies the danger of the mind being on the things of the flesh: "The flesh is hostile toward God." The flesh and the ways of the flesh does not please God or have its focus on God. I'm finding this more true every day. The more I'm spending time in the Word, the more I'm focusing on things of God, the more I'm surrendering my will to God, the less thrilling it is to engulf my ways in the things of the world. The less appealing the flesh is to life.

I've been working on having a prayer time as a family on a nightly basis. When I think of it and what it could be, I think of the joy of gathering together in Jesus' name as a family and being able to share truths, reading the Bible, and being together as a family. We can read God's word. We can talk about life. We can pray for one another for what is going on in our lives. It is a thrill to think about and focus on. But, the problem is we aren't trained in this way and trying to set a new habit in the life of the family is so difficult. It is ever so difficult. It is a tussle. And so far it is hard to keep it going. I've been hoping we could do it 4 times a week now. This past week we have done it twice. I don't sense that anyone else in the family has the same desire. Or maybe they have the desire in retrospect or when they introspect, but when it gets to the point of doing it, no one seems willing and I feel like I am being an inconvenience. But, I want to press on. I want to seek to do it Lord. I do pray Lord that you would help that time to come to fruition. I want to be able to help my family walk in the Spirit.

Cannot please God
I just think we think that we can have our cake and eat it too. I just think that we dabble with living in the flesh like it is no big deal. It is not wrong I think to do some things but when the Spirit is clearing drawing me in a different direction, I think it is a sin when I don't follow through. The flesh cannot fulfill the Law (verse 7) and the flesh cannot please God (verse 8). Those are stark reminders that I need to be about the Spirit.

And I can be about the flesh in service that has the appearance of being toward God.  Being in a new church is nice because I feel like I'm back to being a parishioner and I am out of being at the forefront of something. It is hard to be a leader. Because my life is then on public display. It is much easier to just live in the shadows. But, that doesn't mean that I am not to be a leader. But, I just need to be careful. Don't force anything.

Promise: The flesh is always hostile to God, never pleasing God.

Romans 8:4-6 - Setting One's Mind On The Spirit

Romans 8:4-6 - 4 so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace,

Message: The Spirit is willing, the Flesh is weak

Time: This book was probably written between 56 and 57 B.C. Paul was in Greece, probably Corinth when he wrote. It was sent to Gentile believers, but also believers with a strong Jewish element.

What the Lord is Saying:

Review
The Law cannot save a sinner. Jesus came in likeness of sinful flesh. God sent His son to pronounce sin guilty.

Getting back to the text here. I started out with the idea that there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. So, despite the tennis match of the Christian, of seeing the freedom from the Law and then the desire to fulfill it, I do have sinful tendencies to live in disobedience to it. Unlike the non-Christian, the standard becomes clearer to me. The mirror is in my life and I see the sin of my life. But, at the end of the day, my peace with God has not changed. I will not be judged because Jesus conquered sin. Once again, Jesus condemned sin. He took care of sin's punishment for me. And the Spirit of God has set me free from ever feeling like I am guilty for my sin.

Contrasting the Christian's life with the non-Christian
The life of the Christian is a life lived according to the Spirit. In our flesh, we are not able to fulfill the requirements of the Law. In contrast, the non-Christian's life will lead to death as life is lived in worldly wisdom. As people fail, it is hoped that the conscience speaks to a person showing them the right way and it is hoped that this person sees they are unable to truely live in a righteous way. Yes, regrets will occur, but it is against the flesh and disappointing man.

It is kind of an interesting journey. The unregenerate person doesn't think they are a sinner in the sense that they don't think there life will yield separation from God. As they begin to uncover the Law, though, and their sin (like in Romans 7:6-13), they begin to see the Law and that it cannot save. As they trust in Christ then, they see their sin and understand the Law, they still have sinful tendencies. It is at this point there are two choices: (1) to work at being obedient to the Law, falling into the trap of a self-defined law and self-defined righteousness; (2) to realize Jesus has conquered the Law and their obedience is according to the Spirit and they never have to be condemned. So, for the non-Christian there is no sin. Then the regenerate understands their sin, but then they are to live like sin has no power over them and they are about fulfilling the Law.

Observing people and the Non-Christian's Life
I watch people and people don't look they are having in trouble with their life from a morality standpoint. They look at me and simply know that religion (my faith) is important to me. Going to church is something good to do to help my life more complete. Giving God air time is just good to do. I think this is why I hesitate sharing God's Love with them because they don't appear as if they are struggling. As I realized yesterday, it is only as I spend time in God's word that I discover how sinful I am. Without this, I live like life is okay and there isn't any big deal with it.

These verses today are for the Christian. Chapter 8, like 7 and 6 are about Sanctification, the condition of the Christian after justification, leading to glorification. Sanctification is our life lived on this earth, prior to being glorified with God in Heaven.

I am to be different in Christ - walking according to the Spirit
The Law is to be fulfilled in us. I am to be different in Christ. And I can be different now because I walk according to the Spirit working in my life, not according to the flesh. This is what verse 4 means to me. And then in verse 5, the Christian wants the things of the Spirit. The Christian's life wants to be of the Spirit. The Christian doesn't want to set their minds on the flesh. So, that is the tension I experience on a daily basis. I sit down to watch TV, to be entertained, and think of time I could be spending praying or reading in the Word. I have a desire to speak to others about their faith and their beliefs, but I go off in a different direction most of the time and don't confront people. I want to go to the mall to share my faith, but get distracted by personal commitments and duties. I am forever wanting to the things of the Spirit, but I too often am giving into to the things of the flesh. I drive to work and think about praying, but instead do something else, like listen to music. This seems to be verse 5. My mind is set on the things of the Spirit. It is there. But, I often turn the other direction. I often go down the road that really makes me no different from my non-Christian counterparts. Wow. I never noticed and realized what was going on there. On one hand, I want to live out the the things of the Spirit in life, but instead, I often revert to the ways of the flesh.

Ignore the Spirit and you end up with a life of death
And then verse 6 shows me the natural conclusion of just living a life set on the flesh. What results is death. The mind set on the Spirit is life and peace. This is the deception of the flesh. The flesh thinks it is alive. The flesh thinks it is about life, but in reality there is no peace in that life. There is living and going through the motions and not really thinking beyond the grave or in the afterlife or in outcomes. The mind set on the flesh is death. The mind set on the Spirit is life and peace.

Promise: The Spirit is there to take us through life, not help us or assist us, but take us through life.

Romans 8:3 - God Does What the Law Cannot

Romans 8:3 -  For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh,

Message: God, in His Son, what the Law could not do

Time: This book was probably written between 56 and 57 B.C. Paul was in Greece, probably Corinth when he wrote. It was sent to Gentile believers, but also believers with a strong Jewish element.

What the Lord is Saying:

Chapter 6, 7, and 8 are expressing life after conversion. Man will struggle with sin. The Law remains good for the Law is Spiritual. But, the Law cannot save.

The Law cannot save a sinner
The Law's purpose was to expose sin, not condemn it. The Law, on its own, works in the flesh. Tabletalk states on June 2, "God's law continues to expose our sin,, the weakness of our flesh, and our desparate need for a savior." This is the Law's purpose. The Law walks in the flesh, apart from Christ and His atoning blood. In Christ, the Law can now have an eternal purpose. In Adam, the Law has a deathly purpose. As in 2 Corinthians 7:10 exclaims, "worldly grief produces death."

The Law urges us intellectually to obedience, but it has no power for obedience. The mirror can show me dirt, but it cannot save me. Man's problem is he thinks he is able and he has the purpose to make himself clean or pull himself up by his own boot straps.

The Law is weak through flesh
The Law is good. The Law is spiritual. The Law is of God. This is the point that Paul makes continually in chapter 7. We need the Law. But, the Law works through flesh. And through flesh the Law is weak.

Jesus came in likeness of sinful flesh
Jesus did not become a sinner. Jesus was not a part of the race of man, to which Adam, spearheaded. Yes, Jesus was in the flesh, but he was in the likeness of sinful flesh. Jesus was human. Jesus and His conception and miraculous birth were testimonies of his coming into the world in a perfect form. Otherwise, he would have been borne of sin. Jesus was not like Adam and the sinners, for Jesus did not sin.

God sent His Son to pronounce sin guilty
"God gave His Only Son." Jesus came as man. Jesus came in the likeness of sinful flesh. God took on the form of man and experienced life as a man. This man had flesh and offered himself as an offering for sin.

Condemn per the dictionary is "to express an unfavorable or adverse judgment on; indicate strong disapproval of; censure. or to pronounce to be guilty."Jesus judged sin. Jesus disapproved sin. Jesus censured sin.

Jesus pronounced a judgment on sin. He declared it evil, devoting it to destruction. Jesus buried sin. One thing that I struggle with, from a theological perspective, is whether Jesus killed sin completely. I mean, sin is still a part of man and man will still struggle it. But, when sin was nailed to the cross, it seems like the consequence of sin changed forever. But, did it only change for Jesus? Why didn't the consequence of sin end for every person? I know the gospel is for those who believe, but it is still something that doesn't make sense to me. Adam sinned and all sin. Jesus died for sin, but only for those who believe. Or rather has sin died for all men and only those who will believe will experience this death. And everyone else will not experience the death of Jesus.

So, is it that, for those in Christ, sin no longer has a power over us, whereas, those not in Christ still are susceptible to its power. But, for both individuals, sin was crucified and for both sin was condemned.

Is it correct to say that Jesus paid the penalty only for those who turn from sin? Or is the penalty paid for all and only those who believe and turn from sin will experience its reward and power?

Promise: God must condemn sin. God doesn't condemn the sinner though, but His Son.

Romans 8:1-2 - No Condemnation in Christ

Romans 8:1-2 - 1 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.

Message: The Spirit Delivers; we have no condemnation

Time: This book was probably written between 56 and 57 B.C. Paul was in Greece, probably Corinth when he wrote. It was sent to Gentile believers, but also believers with a strong Jewish element. 

What the Lord is Saying:

Background
I. Introduction 1:1-17 - Paul introduces himself and greets the church in Rome, specifying that his life and theirs, is all about the gospel.
II. Condemnation - The Need for God's Righteousness 1:18-3:20 - Paul expresses the guilt of the gentile and then the Jew. The Jew will be judged by their words, their works. God is impartial. No one gets a free pass. Jews do not obey the Law and Jews do not believe the oracles. All people are guilty before God. No one is good.
III. Justification - The Imputation of God's Righteousness 3:21-5:21 - Through Jesus, His perfect life, His death, and Resurrection, God credited to man Christ's righteousness when man believes. This is a legal transaction that takes place. Paul takes us back to Abraham and show how he was declared righteous. Abraham's righteousness was apart from works, circumcision, and the Law. He had faith. Because of being declared righteous, we have peace with God. And we have joy in tribulation. We are free from God's wrath. Adam sinned once and it spread to all men. Christ died once and for all sin. His righteousness can make all new.
IV. Sanctification - The demonstration of God's Righteousness 6:1-8:39 - I have read about sanctification and sin. We are free from sin in principle and practice. Sin no longer has master over us. And we are dead to the Law, but alive to God. The Law cannot deliver from sin. The Law exposes our sin and the Law is Good and should be fulfilled. Man wrestles doing good because sin still resides in him and sinful tendencies remain.

There now
Spirit occurs 20 times in Romans 8. The reality of these verses is after Christ imputes righteousness to a person, the person takes on some permanent characteristics. Christ's righteousness has been transferred. This is a done deal. We have peace. We have joy in tribulation. We are freed from sin. The Law no longer has a hold on us. Yes, we struggle. Yes, we sin. And yes, we want to be people known for how we fulfill the Law, but through it all we are now changed.

No condemnation
Condemnation is the opposite of justification and Paul states there is no condemnation. Judgment will never come down on us. Condemnation is to judge, discriminate or pronounce sentence against. And so there is no judgment or their is no pronouncement of a sentence against us. Why? Because we are in Christ Jesus. A change has occurred and so judgment, talked about in Romans 2, doesn't have a hold on us any longer. What an incredible comfort in our life that we don't really comprehend until we see who we are in Christ.

It's the Christian that sees that he has escaped death because the Christian knows what it is to be dead. I think this is an important point. As I talk to people that are seemingly lost, it is hard for them to see they are lost. And it is hard for them to see any danger for them remaining where they are at in Adam.

This is why it is so important to read and meditate on the scripture. When we don't we really are living in Adam with all of our focus on life on how our life should improve. This is the way the world lives. The world is all about self-improvement. When we are reading God's Word and studying it, there is a shift in our life from self-improvement to self-awareness. And this moves me to embrace people and be concerned about them.

A lot has been said about this generation not being good laborers for the gospel. Our harvest is big, but our laborers are few. My feeling is people are not spending time in the Word enough and therefore, don't have good self-awareness, don't have a keen since of their sin, and so have no urgency to preach the gospel because many Christians are living for self-improvement. I know this because I lived in this for so many years. I think I partly have in me a desire to help others, but I didn't have an urgency for it like I believe I now do. That said, I'm growing in urgency because I still don't desire it more than anything else.

No more law of sin and death.
And just like that words are repeated from the previous chapter. There is the reminder that we struggle with sin and doing what is right. We struggle with doing things that don't glorify God, but instead glorify ourselves. Yesterday, in Romans 7:25, it talked about the law of sin. Here it refers to the law of sin and death. Previously, it stated that the wages of sin was death. The Law exposes our sin. We struggle with our sin as we attempt to fulfill the Law after been regenerated.

Romans 5:5 states that the Holy Spirit was given to us. We have died to the Law and serve in newness of the Spirit (Romans 7:6). Yes, I have a new nature, but I need the Spirit of God to intercede in my life, indwell in me, so I can resist the schemes of the devil.

The Spirit of Life. The Holy Spirit provides us with life. In chapter 6 and 7 there was the struggle between right and wrong in our daily life, but I must remember that still nothing can be counted again me. There is no condemnation. But, I need to also remember that the Spirit of Life is working in me. There is no receiving of the Spirit, that is done. The Spirit is living in me. That is the complete truth.

In chapter 7 is so much about the law of sin and the law of the mind and the law of death. But, now we have the Law of the Spirit. What amazing comfort this is to me. That in the same way there are these laws of sin, there is a law of the Spirit. It is definite and a done deal. The law of the Spirit is higher and more powerful than the law of sin or the law of death.

And we have been set free from the law of sin or death. The Holy Spirit sets us free. O Lord, how we must just surrender to you and accept your hand of providence and believe in Your power. You are there.

Promise: There is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.

Romans 7:24-25 - Deliverance from Death

Romans 7:24-25 - 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin.

Message: Jesus delivered me

Time:Another source cites this book as being written around 56-58 BC. Because Paul himself was a Roman citizen, he had a unique passion for those in the assembly of believers in Rome. Since he had not, to this point, visited the church in Rome, this letter also served as his introduction to them.

What the Lord is Saying:

What Has Happened
Romans 7 comes to an end today. Chapter 6 was being dead to sin and now in chapter 7 it is about being dead to the requirements of the law or rather, the Law cannot deliver me from death.

I met someone last night and shared the Gospel with this person. When I started the conversation he was squarely stating that he needed to do good things in order to be accepted. I then took him through the 10 commandments (lying, stealing, blasphemy) and he admitted his guilt. I explained Jesus dying on the cross for our sins and it made sense to him. He understood. But, not sure if his life represented his faith. He told me church to him was getting a free meal. He went to the shelter's downtown to get a meal. But, I just don't know if he really comprehended losing his old life. And I must admit I struggled figuring out how to help him understand.

I struggle in these moments just wanting to say a person isn't saved. I don't think it is my place. I think by the end he felt like he wan't trying to be a good person. That God saves sinners and I pointed out to him how we do good works as a response to God's love not in trying to earn favor.

So much of this chapter has been on the Law not being able to sin and the Law exposing us as sinners. Yet, the Law is good. We are to fulfill the Law in our living. But, Lord, could Leander, my friend, ever understand these truths? Is this deep thinking that not everyone can understand? I struggle with this at times God. I appreciate the truths you have given me, but I struggle whether a person can still be saved with basic understanding.

The thing about this chapter and these verses is the recognition here of this person, first on the hills of regeneration in verses 7-13, but then being regenerated and seeing himself as struggling between obedience and the sin nature still inside. What I love in these verses is the recognition of sin in our life. It is seeing that I am a sinner and in need of a Savior. O how I need to be aware of my sin more and more each day.

Wretched Man I am
It is interesting how in verse 24 Paul declares he is wretched. But, it is appropriate because I find in talking to people that the people who don't spend much time in God's word and don't feel it necessary to attend church and don't pray very often are many often the people that don't think they are really that bad off in their relationship with God. They actually believe they are very close to God. And yet the people that do spend a lot of time in God's word and in praying and observing the ordinances of the faith, are often the ones that think they are far from God. It is the pious ones that struggle seeing themselves in Christ because they, perhaps, more clearly understand God's greatness and their own distance and wretchedness.

A person who is wretched or talaiporos considers themselves afflicted, miserable, or in a distressed condition.  And Paul is wretched because he can't rid himself of being bent toward sin.

And the wretched man is wanting deliverance. He understands that his body is one of death. What he does is not what he wants to do. He is sick. He wants to be set free. He wants to be snatched away from danger.

Thanks to God through Jesus Christ
So, Jesus Christ is the means to be freed from the power of death. What a very clear presentation of the one that takes care of all of our struggles and rescues us from the poor life. Thanks be to God for Jesus Christ. Jesus is the One.

The Tennis Match remains
Paul clearly states that Jesus is the Answer. We saw this message put forth in Chapter 3, 4, and 5. But now, in chapter 7, the message is that the tendency to sin remains. My mind has been changed and renewed and I want to serve the Law of God because I love it and I know what it means when I serve it. But, on the reverse, my flesh wants to go another direction. My flesh isn't listening and obeying.

This is the message of Chapter 7. I am saved by grace but I know I am still a sinner and I hate how that sin roars its ugly head.

Promise: Jesus is the Victor

Romans 7:22-23 - The Law of the Mind vs. The Law of Sin

Romans 7:22-23 - 22 For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, 23 but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members.

Message: Something different in me vs what Christ can do through me.

Time:Another source cites this book as being written around 56-58 BC. Because Paul himself was a Roman citizen, he had a unique passion for those in the assembly of believers in Rome. Since he had not, to this point, visited the church in Rome, this letter also served as his introduction to them.

What the Lord is Saying:

Leading up
In chapter 6 was the focus that we have been freed from sin. The believer has died to sin both in principle and practice. Once dead to sin, we have freedom for sanctification. But, in chapter 7, Paul feels it necessary to point out that we are dead to the Law, in that the Law, as set up, to free a person and deliver them from sin. And in this declaration, Paul wants to be clear that the Law is Good. To be sanctified is to fulfill the Law.

And yet, in man, there is a turmoil or a tennis match between doing good (fulfilling the Law) and doing bad (failing the Law). Though in Christ a person has been freed from sin and their body of sin has been done away with, sinful tendencies still remain because man was borne of Adam and there lurks in man the temptation to do what one doesn't want to do.

We have a responsibility before God to pursue not the things of the flesh. And when we do sin, though it is sin in us that is the reason we sin, we still have a responsibility and we still must confess our sin before God and seek to turn from it. We are in no way off the hook. We have the potential to live free from sin because this is who we are now.

Here in these verses is the regenerate and repentant man. Romans 7 is a chapter a new creature in Christ needs to understand and realize. That though the body of sin has been done away with, sin is still a struggle.

I am pleased with the Law of God.
Verse 22 is the saved person please with God's law. As a new person in Christ, we recognize that the Law is spiritual (verse 14), the Law is holy (verse 12) because the Law is of God. It is holy, it is spiritual, it is of God. Inside me is the quest to do the Law of God for I have been justified and now I will be sanctified leading to glorification.

Something different
My mind plays tricks on me. This has been what has been described in verse 15-21.  My mind because its own law. I wrestle daily with the good Law of God and my own mind. I don't recognize the Law for what is is and try to flee from it. I try to pretend that it is not there. I try to pretend that I have never seen it. I try to pretend that it doesn't apply to me. The law of my mind is the culprit.

Romans 7:22-23 - 22 For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, 23 but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members.

The Christian needs to surrender to the Lord daily and realize that in his own mind he will fail if he tries to conquer the Law of Sin. I can't do it. I need to be trained by the Word of God and submit to the Holy Spirit. 

Promise: Man cannot defeat the Law of sin on his own.

Romans 7:21 - Evil Lurking Close at Hand

Romans 7:21 - I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good.

Message: Evil is present in me, though my desire is not for it.

Time:Another source cites this book as being written around 56-58 BC. Because Paul himself was a Roman citizen, he had a unique passion for those in the assembly of believers in Rome. Since he had not, to this point, visited the church in Rome, this letter also served as his introduction to them.

What the Lord is Saying:

Verse 21 begins with the word “Then” so it seems important to summarize what has come before this verse.       

• Verse 7 – The Law opened by eyes to sins I previously had not named.
• Verse 8 – Once I knew these sins, I pursued them completely.
• Verse 9 – The Law confirmed my death.
• Verse 10 – The Law’s intent though was life not death.
• Verse 11 – Sin corrupted the Law, deceiving me, no longer seeing life.
• Verse 12 – The Law, by itself, is holy.
• Verse 13 – It is important that I see sin for what it is and I see that I am utterly sinful.
• Verse 14 – The Law is spiritual. I am not.
• Verse 15 – But I don’t do what is good, but rather what I hate.
• Verse 16 – My wrong doing then confirms the Law is good.
• Verse 17 – But, my wrong doing is not of me, but of sin.
• Verse 18 – In my flesh, I know, nothing is good.
• Verse 19 – I practice what is evil, not what is good, which is what I want to do.
• Verse 20 – So, remember, I am not doing the sin, but the sin is.

The bottom line in these verses is the Law is good. Before I became a new man in Christ, the Law helped to expose my sin. But, now that I am a new man in Christ, I must remember, that when I sin, it is the sin in me producing the sin. For, now, I am made for good.

Evil is present in me.
I must remember then this principle and not let the sin in me destroy me. I am made for good. I am new in Christ.

Paul uses a phrase, “the principle that is evil.” This is different. This is not the Mosaic Law. This is coming off of verse 15 and beginning to speak of the tennis match that takes place in the believer’s life. Man has every intention to do good, in Christ. It is man’s desire. It is man’s intention. It is what man seeks out to do. But, along the way man can get distracted. Not all the time, but man can be distracted.

Sin takes over, if given the opportunity.
It is something I need to recognize and be aware of. The principle of evil is present in me. Evil does not live in me for Christ lives in me, but the temptation to move towards evil, to sin, is there in me.

CS Lewis, “No one knows how bad he is until he has tried to be good.”  

Promise: I am not evil, nor does evil live in me, but the principle of evil does live in me and I discover this as a try to be good.

Romans 7:18-20 - Our True Identity

Romans 7:18-20 - 18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. 19 For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. 20 But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.

Message: The Tennis Match of Good and Evil in my life

Time:Another source cites this book as being written around 56-58 BC. Because Paul himself was a Roman citizen, he had a unique passion for those in the assembly of believers in Rome. Since he had not, to this point, visited the church in Rome, this letter also served as his introduction to them.

What the Lord is Saying:

This has been a fascinating study. The focus has been on the Law actually being good. If there is a culprit in our life it is sin. True, the Law cannot save a person though that may have been its original intention. Sin becomes more aware through the Law, but so does then grace. But, in Christ, we still have sinful tendencies and still struggle with going over to the dark side. We are free in Christ and free from sin per God's perspective.

In Adam is nothing good
Paul paints a stark reminder of every man. There is nothing good in me (verse 18). The unregenerate person knows this because it was talked about in Romans 3. "There is no good in me. There is no one who does good. There is not one." But, the regenerate person also understands this. The good that I have in me is because of Christ. Sure, their is grief that occurs in Adam, in sinful man, that produces a sorrow and thus good works. But, could we say that all good has its source with God? And the difference in man is whether he acknowledges this or not.

I am willing
In Christ I am a new creature, and so in Christ I am willing to do good. All people are willing to do good. Each person with a conscience sees the right way, but doing good is not so evident. I know what I want to do, but I just don't do it (verse 19).

Man's nature is playing a tennis match with himself. Back and forth, doing right, not doing right.

Sin still is in me
And here it is. The reality. Sin is still in. The sinful tendencies occur because sin still lives in me. What must I do? Choose a different path. Surrender to the Lord and accept His provision in my life. Sin may be in me, but sin does not rule me. And its power over me has been broken in my conversion to Christ. The Holy Spirit is working in me.

In Christ, when I sin, it is not really who I am. That is the conundrum. That is why I have such a tension because I know I'm not doing that which now is natural and the natural tendency of me, now in Christ, is to do the good works God prepared me to do (Ephesians 2:10).

Martin Luther said, "We are at the same time righteous (in Christ) and sinners (in practice)."

Promise: Christians are not to expect perfection in this life, but neither are we on the losing side of the battle with sin. By the Spirit, we do progress in holiness as we aim for conformity to Christ. -- Talbetalk, May 16, 2014

Romans 7:14-17 - The Believer's Struggle

Romans 7:14-17 - 14 For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin. 15 For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. 16 But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good. 17 So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.

Message: Sinful tendencies remain in Christ

Time:Another source cites this book as being written around 56-58 BC. Because Paul himself was a Roman citizen, he had a unique passion for those in the assembly of believers in Rome. Since he had not, to this point, visited the church in Rome, this letter also served as his introduction to them.

What the Lord is Saying:

Leading up
Paul continues to remind his reader that the Law is a good thing. We need it. Yes, the law exposes the sinner. The fascinating thing is people who don't know Christ live their life, trying to keep laws, thinking that good works will bring them to heaven and earn God's acceptance, but they never really would admit that their life is about keeping the Law. Internally they have a conscious, and they simply think and believe they are doing their best, according to their own standard of right and wrong.

Verses 7-14 are interesting because they really are from the perspective of the unregenerate person seeing and understanding the Law for the first time in their life. They are seeing that they are accountable to the Law. It is really an amazing thing for one to understand and comprehend and begin to be convicted about the Law. I remember when it happened me, when I was told there was nothing I could to merit God's acceptance. There were no amount of good works I could do. And suddenly, for the first time in my life, the law had meaning. Sin had meaning. I understood it. People without Christ and without conversion don't understand sin. They don't see the seriousness of it.

So this is where Paul has been in these verses. Leading up to verse 14 we see that through the commandment of God sin was made sinful. The Law exposes sin. But the Law has a purpose of Life. And recognizing that Jesus paid for my sin and fulfilled the Law then can move me to live the Law in my life.

The Law is spiritual
Paul here begins to contrast our two natures. I think it is here to not forget what has been read thus far. And remember that we are born in Adam, and then realize that we can't be free in Adam and can only be free in Christ for eternity. But, although, we are seen now in Christ by God we are still an "in Adam" creature while we walk and talk on this earth.

Paul has told me the Law is Good and states now in verse 14 that the Law is spiritual, meaning its origin is God. We can never think the Law is bad. Yes, it ignites sin in my life, that then yields to my view of Grace, and the need for it because sin is great in my life. But, the bottom line is that the Law if from God and very good. 

I remain in the flesh, doing things I don't want to do because of sin
Verse 14 continues to contrast then my own self with the the goodness of God and the Law. Once sin came into the world through Adam, man has sinful tendencies. The power of God can move a person beyond this.

2 Corinthians 7:10, a verse I have been memorizing says, "For Godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, where as worldly grief produces death." What's important to see in this verse is the Godly person and worldly person both experience grief in their lives. Both individuals experience sorrow for wrongdoing. The difference is the worldly person simply has a sorrow against self while the godly person has a sorrow against God, realizing their violation to the Law and their desire to never violate God again. The worldly person does have motivation to not do things that are improper, but for different reasons of outcomes. The worldly person is focused on man's opinion.

The problem is that man's standards constantly change. And when can man ever feel like they have arrived. This is why so many religions are set up to set the standard of what it means to arrive.

Verse 15 clarifies the sinful tendencies the person, in Christ, has still in his life. Sin still rears its ugly head in my life and I catch myself doing what I don't understand and even doing in a repeated fashion things I don't want to do anymore. The challenge remains in life to live the way God sees us. To love others and ourselves this way. And to view sin they way he views it: paid for and finished, so nothing good in it. And there is tension here.

The Law remains good and clearly different from me

Guzik explains that...

Paul’s problem isn’t desire - he wants to do what is right (what I will to do, that I do not practice). His problem isn’t knowledge - he knows what the right thing is. His problem is a lack of power: how to perform what is good I do not find. He lacks power because the law gives no power.

The law says: “Here are the rules and you had better keep them.” But it gives us no power for keeping the law. 

Paul admits that he agrees the Law is spiritual and thus agrees that the Law is something of God and not of flesh. Just like God is good, the Law is good. On my own, though, I can't keep it. What man will have to do, is what he has done, and that is redefine it so that he can, at the end of the day, see himself worthy. Man must feel like he has at some point done what is right so man goes about changing the Law and changing God so that he can see himself worthy. And here in the 21st Century, this is where we are at. Sin is no longer sin, but it is acceptable behavior. Lying is necessary so we don't hurt people. Stealing is the norm because it is so easy. Blasphemy is just what people do now. Adultery is what everyone is doing and frankly, if I don't get what I want in a relationship, then it is fine. We work 24/7 so there is no Sabbath. Murder of babies, abortion, is the norm. Murder can even be justified in others if we think a person has wronged us enough. Idolatry is so rampant and in abundance we struggle even defining it because it is everywhere. Our phones, TV, status, wealth, power, movies, entertainment, jobs, relationships -- all have become idols. And since children are now so intertwined with the culture and the parents are so focused on their children and their safety and well-being, parents are really about honoring their children than the other way around. The laws of the land have removed the need to get parents permission for an abortion, a tattoo, most everything. If you want it and have money, then get it. And the normal person doesn't even comprehend coveting because it is so prevalent that we don't even realize we are doing it.

In Conclusion, sin has taken over our lives and is living our lives.

Promise: The Law is Good because the law is of God. From Tabletalk, "The more i grow in conformity to Christ, the more I see how unlike Him I am."

Romans 7:13 - Sinful Beyond Measure

Romans 7:13 - Therefore did that which is good become a cause of death for me? May it never be! Rather it was sin, in order that it might be shown to be sin by effecting my death through that which is good, so that through the commandment sin would become utterly sinful.

Message: A better understanding of sin in my life

Time:Another source cites this book as being written around 56-58 BC. Because Paul himself was a Roman citizen, he had a unique passion for those in the assembly of believers in Rome. Since he had not, to this point, visited the church in Rome, this letter also served as his introduction to them.

What the Lord is Saying:

I was reading yesterday in Tabletalk and it mentioned the point of reference for these verses in Romans, specifically verses 7 to 14. It stated the idea that these verses are not written to the believer in Christ but rather the person who is close to conversion. The person is beginning to recognize, through the Law, that they are a sinner. In verse 8, the person realizes that through the Law sin of every kind was produced or made more aware by the sinner. And then in verse 9 and 10 the person realizes that though they thought they were alive, without the Law, when they were confronted with it and its truth, they realized they were dead. And so there is a progression in these verses of a person understanding that they are in fact sinners.

Again, what is interesting in these verses is the condition of the person and the fact that people live most of their lives without a law in their life. And therefore, without a standard and without a need for a Savior.

Yesterday, during lunch, I was memorizing a couple of scriptures and I realized that I really have a sort of obligation or rather I have a desire to have conversations with the people at my work place outside of work. I would like to talk to my co-workers, if they are willing, about their faith and really see if I can understand where they are at in their walk. I could even talk to other family members. Could I do that? Sure I could. I need to do. God, give me boldness. As I read these passages of scripture it just moves me for people to understand Truth. It's not enough to make flippant comments here and there. Sure, God is at work and can work in people's lives. But, I am missionary and have been sent to these people. So, am I really doing everything I can to help people understand truth. I started to have a burden for this in the budget office, but said very little to people. I said something, but not much. I could say more and talk to people if they are willing to talk.

That said, I struggle understanding where people are at spiritually sometimes. I struggle being a detective of sorts and trying to figure it out. Because most people think they have the truth in their life. They think they are set. But, do they really understand it? Am I doing my best to help them? 

Today's Reading
Verse 13 continues the understanding of possibly this unregenerate person. Paul once again is realizing or showing us that the Law is Good. He says, "Therefore did that which is good become a cause of death for me?" If the Law is in fact good, then is it what caused me to see that I am dead in Adam? No, the Law exposes our sin, and then our sin is what moves us to this understanding, not the Law. Again, the Law is good. I am not to look at the Law as being something bad.

The Law exposes the sin in my life. A regenerate person want to see this.

Promise: The Law helps to expose sin in my life.

Romans 7:12 - The Law in the Life of an Unbeliever

Romans 7:12 - So then, the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.

Message: The Law is a Good thing.

Time:Another source cites this book as being written around 56-58 BC. Because Paul himself was a Roman citizen, he had a unique passion for those in the assembly of believers in Rome. Since he had not, to this point, visited the church in Rome, this letter also served as his introduction to them.

What the Lord is Saying: 

In Review
When I die the Law will no longer have a hold on me. The theory is that I have died to the Law and I can now walk in newness of life. The outcome of the Law was death and it no longer has a hold on me. 

The Law told me that I had sinned. Because of the Law, sin seizes the day and the sinner begins sinning in ways he never previously thought possible. Without the Law, sin feels dead. Without the mirror, I can't see how dirty my face has become. And without the Law or standard in my life, I tend to think I'm A-OK. I feel healthy. If a person keeps the Law perfectly, it brings life. But, now i see it results in death. I feel like I have been deceived.

The Law is Holy
Don't miss this. "So then." The Law is holy. The Law is perfect and separate from the ways of the world. The commandment is holy and righteous and good. Righteousness can be pictured in the Law. Paul wants us to make sure that we realize that the Law is something good.

It is not like the sin that was crucified in our life and we have been freed from that sin and its ways and we are to embrace righteous living. Law is good. It is holy. It is a reminder that we need in life. We need the mirror in our life to see how dirty we are. I need to be reminded that I am indeed a sinner for I can never be dull of hearing of God's grace and what He has done for me. And the Law constantly reminds me of my need for a Savior.

Promise: It is good for us to have a Law.

Romans 7:8-11 - Sin's Perversion of the Law

Romans 7:8-11 - 8 But sin, taking opportunity through the commandment, produced in me coveting of every kind; for apart from the Law sin is dead. 9 I was once alive apart from the Law; but when the commandment came, sin became alive and I died; 10 and this commandment, which was to result in life, proved to result in death for me; 11 for sin, taking an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me.

Message: Sin's relationship with the Law

Time:Another source cites this book as being written around 56-58 BC. Because Paul himself was a Roman citizen, he had a unique passion for those in the assembly of believers in Rome. Since he had not, to this point, visited the church in Rome, this letter also served as his introduction to them.

What the Lord is Saying:

Setting It Up
Is Law Sin? That was the next question found in verse 7. I would not have known sin if the Law had not said, "Don't ______." The law was more specific. Whether it is the Law or it is sin, the Believer has died to both of them. Justification took care of this. And now I am sanctified in Christ until I will be glorified for all eternity with Christ.

The law produced in me coveting of every kind. Sin is far reaching. And sin is comprehensive. Sin is multifaceted.  When I ask people questions about sin and whether they have broken a commandment, there are many ways a person can break one individual commandment.

These verses are a little tough and challenging. And I must admit, they do begin to confuse me a little. The phrase "apart from the law" previously was used by Paul to describe that the Law and God's declaring us righteous are not connected. So, doing the Law or doing what God commands is not connected to God declaring us righteous. Works don't have a bearing on receiving God's righteousness. That is an important separation.

Sin takes its opportunity
Sin here in verse 8 are not acts of sin, but our sin nature. Without the Law, the sin nature is relatively dormant. It is not dead for Paul has already shown us in Romans 2 that the conscious accuses man alternately. And this was before the Law. But, with the Law now, sin seizes the day. And so the nature of man and his sin nature sees the Law clearly now and has the opportune moment now to be a rebel from it.

The opportunity for more sin is taken and now sin is produced in every kind. This is what sin does. We open the door and suddenly we are sinning in ways that, at the onset, we weren't even considering.

But, the Law here isn't the problem. The problem is man and his selfish will.

Apart from the Law, sin is dead 
Romans 3:21
But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 

Romans 3:28 

For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.

 

Yet now in Romans 7, as we talk about the sanctified life, the use of the phrase "apart from the Law" appears to be different. Verse 8 speaks to the fact that sin is dead apart from the law and verse 9 says I am alive apart from the Law. 

 

Romans 7:8 

But sin, taking opportunity through the commandment, produced in me coveting of every kind; for apart from the Law sin is dead.

Romans 4:15 states, "where there is no law, there also is no violation."

What happened here in this progression is, earlier in verse 8, sin took the opportunity and suddenly sin of every kind was being committed. So, therefore, apart from the law sin is dead. But, really it feels dead, which is what the commentators state. It is not literally dead and not breathing, but it is dormant and feels dead.

Without the mirror I don't think I have a dirty face, but that doesn't mean my face isn't dirty. The mirror just exposes me. Without the mirror, I may feel the dirt, but looking into the mirror now makes me realize just how dirty I am.

Previously, I felt healthy
Romans 7:9 

I was once alive apart from the Law; but when the commandment came, sin became alive and I died;

Without the Law, I feel fine. A-ha! See, this is why sin in the life of the non-believer is so dormant. They have no law in their life. They have no mirror. They feel alive and free from sin. It is not until they see the law, are exposed to it, that they understand the 10 commandments and then realize, "O, wow. I am a sinner." Without the Law, I feel like I am spiritual healthy. And people even with the Law nearby will do everything possible to make it seem like they don't really have anything bad in their life. This is the problem with the Christian. They don't want to be accountable. No one wants to be accountable. No one wants someone else to tell them to change or really anything to tell them to change. The cry of every person is "don't judge me." What each person is saying is, "Leave me alone. I decide what is sin in my life. No one else."

But sin makes me realize I'm dead
We are all about living and living life to the fullest. We are entertainment and recreation oriented in life. Everyone is working for the weekend, to borrow a Loverboy song from the 80's. Life is about having fun. We are become more and more better at improving life and lengthening life. Don't talk about death. And yet that is the result of sin and the gospel, the realization that I can't do it and I need Christ. That, without Christ I am dead. No one wants death and so they do everything to avoid it.

Thought to be life, really death
Romans 7:10

and this commandment, which was to result in life, proved to result in death for me;

Most people think the laws are there, so that, if we keep them we are safe. The keeping of the commandment brings life, but only if the commandment is kept perfectly and completely.

What is the response of people confronted with the 10 commandments

1. I formerly did that, but not any more so I'm okay
2. Everyone does it so you can't condemn me as well

People talk about having a perfect driving record with no accidents and no tickets. But, have they been perfect in their driving? Not a chance. They have sped and may have even hit someone, but its just not on their record. The problem is without anything on their record or a ticket they think they are fine.

Deception is the Key
Romans 7:11 states, "sin...deceived me." This is it. This is the key to all of life without Christ. And the key to so many religions. People have been deceived. People have been made to think they are alright and getting them to come out that state of deception is a work of God in their life.

This is an utterly sad state of mankind: deception. Something sounds like truth so it becomes truth. It is truly and completely unfortunate.

For Paul here, he felt deceived because the Law he thought would bring life, but in the end, it brought death. 

Promise: The secret to life is death.

Romans 7:7 - Knowing Sin

Romans 7:7 - What shall we say then? Is the Law sin? May it never be! On the contrary, I would not have come to know sin except through the Law; for I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, “You shall not covet.”

Message: Knowing sin

Time:Another source cites this book as being written around 56-58 BC. Because Paul himself was a Roman citizen, he had a unique passion for those in the assembly of believers in Rome. Since he had not, to this point, visited the church in Rome, this letter also served as his introduction to them.

What the Lord is Saying:

Not again
Part of me wishes Paul would not have transitioned to this verse next. In the last several verses I have studied we are free from sin, free from the standards of the Law, even though we, through Christ, fulfill the Law and we are walking in newness of Life that the Spirit lives in us. I am on my way to live the new life in Christ.

Verse 7 states, "What shall we say then? Is the Law sin?" What? Is the Law sin? Haven't we covered this enough? I realize that I don't sin because sin is dead or sin has been crucified. In Adam I am a sinner and my life as a sinner results in death. Sin is breaking the Law. And the Law has no hold on me because Christ has conquered it by dying on the cross for me and this means something because, as a man, He lived a perfect life. 

Yet he circles back to sin and defining it and I really should be thankful for this for he is really setting up man to have no excuse. And the Jew has no excuse. No wonder Martin Luther read and studied this and was changed. The Catholic church was really, at times, speaking and preaching a different message and Luther read this and was amazed by it. It s a reminder of the importance of reading God's word.

Knowing Sin
Verse 7 emphasizes something big, "I would not have known sin if the Law had not said, "You shall not covet." Thank goodness for the Law. I have preached on this verse a few times. In fact, it was the first message that I ever preached. And the illustration I used for this verse was to say that when I was in college, I was driving to Baylor, going down the highway. I was driving southeast on highway 84, just past Lubbock. I can't remember if I got to Snyder yet. I'm driving in my Monte Carlo, sensitive to the speed limit. Recently, they had changed the speed limit to 65 on highways. All of a sudden a police officer's lights flash and I am pulled over to the side of the road. The officer stops me and says, "Do you know how fast you were going?" Yes Sir. "65." He said, "What is the speed limit?" I said it is 65. That new law is now in effect and I'm going the speed limit. He said that that Law is only for interstates, highway 84 is not an interstate. Say what? I didn't know the law. I thought I knew it, but then I realized I didn't.

That was my illustration for not knowing sin. I thought I was fine, but then the Law came around and "Blamm!!" I am broke it. I wouldn't have known anything if the law had not said something.

Covet
I don't think Paul randomly chose a Law here. Paul just isn't the random sort of person. He could have cited any of the major 10 commandments. The first deal with our relationship with God. And the next 5 deal with our relationship with man. Coveting I think is somewhat unique. To this point, the commandments have primarily been external things we can see, like not keeping the sabbath, worshiping idols, murder, lying. But, here is the reminder of coveting or wanting something on the inside. Law of society are always in place for catching people in improper actions. But, this is a thought action. This is a desire.

1. Coveting is a desire. People can't be convicted in society for what they think. 
2. Coveting is a strong desire. It makes us do thing that we will regret. It pushes us to do evil. 
3. Coveting wants more. It isn't satisfied with what I have and it wants more or even it thinks I don't have enough of what I do have. 
4. Coveting wants what I can't have. The object is really forbidden. I can't have my neighbors wife. I have a wife. 
5. Coveting makes me responsible. Only I know what I want. I have personal responsibility to stay true to what I have. 
6. Coveting is specific. Lust is a general desire. Greed is wanting more money. Coveting is wanting the Corvette. Coveting is wanting that woman. Coveting is wanting that house. 
7. Coveting doesn't care about others. Coveting doesn't care about hurting others. 
8. Coveting is hidden. I will conceal what I want. I will hide this from everyone else. It is dark and secret. 
9. Coveting will destroy me. 

The Bible tells me to be giving. Coveting is getting. The Bible tells me to think of others. Coveting is thinking of me. I am to worship God. Coveting wants people to worship me and what I have.

It's not bad to want. I want to be holy. Can i be truly and completely holy? Nope. But it is good to want this.

Promise: God shows us the wrong way, not just the right way.