Have you read Romans 7:7-25 today?
Let's just get it out in the open--I struggle with sin (BTW you do too and so did the apostle Paul).
I am so thankful for Romans 7. When I see that even Paul didn't do what he wanted to do, but what he hated (vs. 15) and that he desired to do good, but couldn't carry it out (vs. 18), it helps me. It gives me perspective. What about you? Tami W.
P.S. You should check out the Back to the Bible program where we still have 2 weeks left in our study of Romans.
Boy, Is it getting hot in here or what? If we move on to Chapter 8 would we feel better? So We are here now, and I for one know that my flesh ( my sin nature ) is not comfortable. Knowing that this is the part of us that is ( shall I use the word) embarrassing? Hoping not to offend anyone, I used the word we and us, to share the uncomfortable feeling of the truth about my sin nature. It seems easier to swallow somehow. I know it so well; It had full control in me, and over me for 40 years. ( But now it has to fight for control. I Thank God for the new man in me, and “The Fruit of the Spirit” growing stronger in me. Each day that I choose to set at the feet of Jesus and His word I feel my spirit being fed the engrafted word giving me the strength to overcome my flesh. ) I am thankful for the Law revealing the Sin nature in me. And I don’t like what I see when looking at this part of me in the mirror. I’m still glad it’s here helping me to understand myself. The Truth sometimes hurts, But I for one need to hear it, and am looking forward to reading other comments.
I agree and see exactly what Paul was going through. I find my self in a constant day-to-day struggle with the things I hate and yet keep doing. The enormous guilt that follows only tells me I really do know what is right. This particular study really put all that in perspective for me as well.
It's amazing how sin is so easy to fulfill and obeying the Lord's will and law is so difficult. I'm so happy to know that will all go away when Jesus comes back to set up HIS kingdom here!
We all like Paul have this constant battle with sin. Sometimes we find ourselves doing those things that displease God and so we have to be renewed. The thing is like Paul we don't want to but at times we find ourselves doing these things simply because its natural for us to do so. Whatever is natural for us is always easy to do, even if you haven't done it for a long time.
However we are to daily take up the cross and crucify this flesh. What assurance Romans 7 gives is that even great men like Paul had the same struggle and they overcame it and so can we.
Hi Tami-
I have always been encouraged by this passage because I do struggle. Quite frankly, I haven't met one person who doesn't. To me, the apostle Paul is the epitome of the righteous man, as far as a human being can live according to the law. He dotted all his I's and crossed all his T's and minded his P's and Q's.
Paul had lived the life of a Pharasee. He knew the Law like the back of his hand. He also knew the Law did not have the power to save. It only revealed how truly depraved we are. Paul was staunch and disciplined, if he struggled bringing his members into complete submission to the guidelines of the Law, then I have hope. I cannot compare myself to Paul. I would have to liken myself as a flickering flame before a bright beacon. God's word reminds me that Christ will not snuff out a flickering flame. Mat 12:20
In the law I have no hope, apart from Christ I have no hope. In Christ Jesus I have all hope and the Grace of God has set me free from the curse of the law. One thing that is extremely important to note is Paul struggled. That means he didn't say, "I can't help myself, it is the sin that dwells in me, so why try." He practiced bringing his members under submission to the obedience of Christ. 1Co 9:27 Rom 12:2 2Co 10:5 Simply because the law reveals I am a sinner, it does not give me license to sin. I have a new nature. Eph 4:24 And put on the new nature (the regenerate self) created in God's image, [Godlike] in true righteousness and holiness. AMP I have become a new creation, 2Co 5:17 therefore it is no longer my "nature" to sin since I bear the newness of life in Christ.
So often I have met people who say, "I'm a carnal christian." Carnal and Christ can not dwell together. I am either a Christian, (which means "little Christ"), or I am carnal. I can not be both. I have heard people use the passage we are studying today to excuse them in their practice of sin. To be reconciled to The Holy God, I must repent. Jesus preached repentance. John the Baptist went before Him and preached repentance. Repentance is the proof of remorse over my sin against God. Luk 3:3 Mat 3:8 Acts 26:20 2 Cor 7:9-11
That leads us back to our passage today. While I may struggle with the weakness of my flesh to submit to the obedience of the commandment of Christ, I must continue to work at putting the old man off and the new man on, as it were. I must not give in to the sin that dwells within me and when I fall, I must confess before God. He will forgive me. 1 John 1:9-10 There is a difference between me struggling against my desires and making a practice of following through with the desires and/or living that way.
I believe that salvation is a gift and once it is given it will not be taken away. Rom 11:29 In believing that, I believe that the proof of my salvation is the good fruit of my life and my obedience to the commandment of Christ. I will not practice that which will dishonor Christ. 1Th 5:21-22 My salvation will shine a light to all men by the renewal of my life. I will not live like the world does with the slackness of morals and values that it endorses. My morals, values, and ethics will pattern themselves according to the word of God, 1Th 1:5-7, and if they don't, I have good reason to question if I have received the gift of salvation. I desire to be convicted by the word of God and I want that accountability.
Paul wrote to the Corinthians: 1Co 11:1 PATTERN YOURSELVES after me [follow my example], as I imitate and follow Christ (the Messiah). AMP Paul is a good example to follow, Christ is a better one. I must ask my self, "Would Christ swear, cheat, steal (even if it were a paper clip from the office), tell a 'white' lie, live with the opposite sex as a married couple, get drunk and unruly, break the law of the land?" If I will follow His example I must abstain from that which He abstained from. Yes, I struggle on a minute by minute basis at times, but mainly a daily basis. I am greatful for the struggle because in that struggle I am made aware of my salvation. If I did not struggle and was not convicted to confession and repentance I would be unsure of my salvation. It is by His grace that I become aware of my depravity. Indeed Rom 7-7-25 gives me great hope and peace.
Wretched, wretched, wretched!!!!
I cringe when I hear believers or others say, "well I'm a good person," because that statement itself is deception! There is NONE good except our Father. I am a wretched man, and though I am so thankful God has given me a new life free from the bondage of sin, I will always struggle with the flesh and its sinful nature. What a joy it is to know we've been rescued through Jesus, though!
Hi Tami,
Paul's letters have always been very important to me, becuase I have always identified with him and his problems dealing with sin. I am not sure what kind of self image I migh thave if it weren't for Paul's words, but I'm sure it would be weakened.
We all sin, so what do people mean when they say, "I am a good Christian?"
What is BTW?
BTW is the quick way to say, "by the way." :)