Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin. Romans 7:24-25
This morning, I continued my study of Romans. Using my commentary - Exalting Jesus in Romans (eBook) - I continued with chapter nine Wretched Man, Wonderful Messiah, which covers Romans 7. My focus today is Romans 7:7-25, which my commentary refers to under the heading Thankful for Christ, Longing for Deliverance. Building on v1-7 (see post yesterday) where Paul describes how unbelievers (v5) and believers (v6-7) are dead to sin but then after accepting Jesus are then alive to Christ, Paul seeks to respond to those who might then refer to the law as sinful as the law on its own - without Christ - leads to death and condemnation. Paul writes how the law helps us better understand our sin (v7-8). He then describes the internal battle with sin as without Christ we are helpless against sin as we are captive to it (v15-23). Paul caps this chapter acknowledging our helplessness - but he is thankful for God who rescues us and protects us against sin (progressively through sanctification).
My commentary crystallizes the key takeaways from 7:7-25 with (1) the law shows sin in its true colors, (2) the law reveals the human proclivity to sin, (3) the law exposes our need for spiritual life, (4) the law shows the nature of the Lawgiver - "[t]he problem is not with the law but without our sinful human condition." The commentary also corrects my view (from above) and argues that Paul is not writing about himself (although he uses "I") nor about Christians who have this battle with sin but a "pre-Christian" struggle. The commentary refers to v13-25 as "total defeat". This total defeat in Romans 7 is contrasted with the Christian experience described in Romans 6 and 8. "[Paul] is speaking as an unbeliever trying to obey God's law and finding it impossible. Only through Christ can we be set free from the law of sin and death (7:24, 8:1-2)." We are also reminded by the commentary that the law is good as it is from God and holy. The commentary ends by providing a key perspective - "this does not mean the passage only has relevance for non believers....[the] passage should on either reading, make us thankful that wretched people have a wonderful Messiah."
Comment and discuss this post here.
My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are indeed an amazing God and one who saves me from my sin gives me life - to the full! Thank You Jesus! I am not deserving of such blessings. I am easily entangled to and with the world - please forgive me Jesus! Help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
