Romans 7
Introduction
What are the two extreme ways Christians follow Jesus Christ?
(Warren Wiersbe) Something in human nature makes us want to go to extremes, a weakness from which Christians are not wholly free.
"Since we are saved by grace," some argue, "we are free to live as we please," which is the extreme of license.
"But we cannot ignore God's Law," others argue. "We are saved by grace, to be sure; but we must live under Law if we are to please God." This is the extreme expression of legalism.
(Suresh) also keep the law to maintain the salvation or not to loose the salvation.
Did Paul answered this first extreme group who claims "we are free to live as we please"?
Yes, Paul answered the first extreme group in Romans 6;
Did Paul answered this second extreme group who claims "We are saved by grace, to be sure; but we must live under Law if we are to please God"?
No, Paul answers the second extreme group in Romans 7.
What happens to the believer who has zeal to follow the Lord applies seriously what he/she read in Romans 6?
(Warren Wiersbe) Every growing Christian understands the experience of Romans 6 and 7. Once we learn how to "know, reckon, and yield," we start getting victory over the habits of the flesh, and we feel we are becoming more spiritual. We set high standards and ideals for ourselves and for a while seem to attain them. Then everything collapses! We start to see deeper into our own hearts and we discover sins that we did not know were there. God's holy Law takes on a new power, and we wonder if we can ever do anything good! Without realizing it, we have moved into "legalism" and have learned the truth about sin, the Law, and ourselves.
What really is "legalism"?
(Warren Wiersbe) It is the belief that I can become holy and please God by obeying laws.
It is measuring spirituality by a list of do's and don'ts.
What is the weakness of legalism?
(Warren Wiersbe) The weakness of legalism is that it sees sins (plural) but not sin (the root of the trouble). It judges by the outward and not the inward. Furthermore, the legalist fails to understand the real purpose of God's Law and the relationship between Law and grace.
In my pastoral experience, I have counseled many people who have suffered severe emotional and spiritual damage because they have tried to live holy lives on the basis of a high standard. I have seen the consequences of these attempts: either the person becomes a pretender, or he suffers a complete collapse and abandons his desires for godly living. I have seen too that many legalists are extremely hard on other people—critical, unloving, unforgiving.
(Warren Wiersbe) The word law is used twenty-three times in this chapter. In Romans 6, Paul told us how to stop doing bad things; in Romans 7 he told how not to do good things.
"You were not justified by keeping the Law," he argued, "and you cannot be sanctified by keeping the Law."
Paul wanted to spare his readers this difficult and dangerous experience.
In Romans 7, he discussed three topics, which, if understood and applied, will deliver us from legalism.
The Authority of the Law (Rom. 7:1-6)
We died to the Law (vv. 4-5)
We are delivered from Law (v. 6)
The Ministry of the Law (Rom. 7:7-13)
The Law reveals sin (v. 7)
The Law arouses sin (vv. 8-9)
The Law kills (vv. 10-11)
The Law shows the sinfulness of sin (vv. 12-13).
The Inability of the Law (Rom. 7:14-25)
The Law cannot change you (v. 14)
The Law cannot enable you to do good (vv. 15-21)
The Law cannot set you free (vv. 21-25)
Christians and the Law
The Authority of the Law (1-6)
1 Or do you not know, brethren (for I speak to those who know the law), that the law has dominion over a man as long as he lives? 2 For the woman who has a husband is bound by the law to her husband as long as he lives. But if the husband dies, she is released from the law of her husband. 3 So then if, while her husband lives, she marries another man, she will be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from that law, so that she is no adulteress, though she has married another man. 4 Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another--to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God. 5 For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death. 6 But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter.
Is this chapter is a continuation of previous chapter?
1 Or do you not know, brethren (for I speak to those who know the law), that the law has dominion over a man as long as he lives?Yes, it is a continuation of the answer to the question in Romans 6:15 and the point he made in Romans 6:14
Romans 6:14-15 - 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. 15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not!
(David Guzik) In Romans 6:14, Paul told us that you are not under law but under grace. After the discussion in Romans 6:15-23 regarding practical implications of this, he now explains more completely how it is that we are no longer under the dominion of the law.
(Warren Wiersbe) These verses actually continue the discussion that Paul began in Romans 6:15, answering the question, "Shall we sin because we are not under the Law, but under grace?"
What law Paul is talking about?
1 Or do you not know, brethren (for I speak to those who know the law), that the law has dominion over a man as long as he lives?The law of Moses, all the laws in the Bible and the laws in our conscience.
(David Guzik) The ancient Greek wording here has no word "the" before law. This means Paul speaks of a principle broader than the Mosaic Law.
The law that has dominion over man includes the Law of Moses,
but there is a broader principle of law communicated by creation and by conscience, and these also have dominion over a man.
Romans 2:14-15 - 14 for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, 15 who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them
Romans 1:20-21 - 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
To whom Paul is addressing?
1 Or do you not know, brethren (for I speak to those who know the law), that the law has dominion over a man as long as he lives?To everyone.
Does this law in this verse Romans 7:1 includes both ritual and moral laws?
1 Or do you not know, brethren (for I speak to those who know the law), that the law has dominion over a man as long as he lives?Yes, it includes ritual and moral laws because here it include all sort of laws.
It is also includes 10 commandments. Paul is making sure this by referring to one of the 10 commandment as a part of this law.
Romans 7:7 - What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, "You shall not covet." 8 But sin, taking opportunity by the commandment, produced in me all manner of evil desire. For apart from the law sin was dead.
So, this law here includes ritual, moral, 10 commandments, laws in our conscience, or any other law that binds people.
How long the law dominion/rule over people who are under the law?
1 Or do you not know, brethren (for I speak to those who know the law), that the law has dominion over a man as long as he lives?The law has dominion over a man as long as he lives. For example:
State law is applicable only when you are physically present in that state with some exceptions.
Federal law is applicable only when you are physically present in that United States with some exceptions.
Religious law is applicable only when you are part of that religion or as long as we live.
Laws in our heart or conscience remains until we die.
What illustration Paul using to explain the Christians relationship with the law?
2 For the woman who has a husband is bound by the law to her husband as long as he lives. But if the husband dies, she is released from the law of her husband. 3 So then if, while her husband lives, she marries another man, she will be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from that law, so that she is no adulteress, though she has married another man.Paul explain this through the law that binds husband and wife.
(Warren Wiersbe) These verses actually continue the discussion that Paul began in Romans 6:15, answering the question, "Shall we sin because we are not under the Law, but under grace?" He used the illustration of a master and servant to explain how the Christian should yield himself to God. In this passage he used the illustration of a husband and wife to show that the believer has a new relationship to the Law because of his union with Jesus Christ.
How long husband and wife bound to their marriage law or vow?
2a For the woman who has a husband is bound by the law to her husband as long as he lives.
2b But if the husband dies, she is released from the law of her husband.They bound husband and wife as long as they live. If anyone of them dies then one who remains alive is not bound to marriage law/vow.
Is there any other way we can break the marriage bond, law or vow?
Most of us think divorce is another way to break the marriage bond/vow. Let us see ...
Matt 19:3-8-3 The Pharisees also came to Him, testing Him, and saying to Him, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?" 4 And He answered and said to them, "Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning 'made them male and female,' 5 and said, 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'? 6 So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate." 7 They said to Him, "Why then did Moses command to give a certificate of divorce, and to put her away?" 8 He said to them, "Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. 9 And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery." 10 His disciples said to Him, "If such is the case of the man with his wife, it is better not to marry." 11 But He said to them, "All cannot accept this saying, but only those to whom it has been given:
As per Matt 19:6-8 and Romans 7:2,
Death is the only thing that breaks the marriage bond as per the God's design of marriage .
In other words there is no concept called divorce in the God's design of marriage.
(Warren Wiersbe) The illustration is a simple one, but it has a profound application. When a man and woman marry, they are united for life. Marriage is a physical union ("They two shall be one flesh" Gen. 2:24) and can only be broken by a physical cause. One such cause is death.
(Matt. 5:31-34; 19:1-12 indicate that unfaithfulness also breaks the marriage bond, but Paul does not bring this up. He is not discussing marriage and divorce; he is using marriage to illusÂtrate a point.)
When will a wife called as adulteress?
3a So then if, while her husband lives, she marries another man, she will be called an adulteress;While her husband lives, if she marries, have affair or any sort of sexual immorality with any man (or anyone) other than her husband then she will be called an adulteress.
When will a wife not called as adulteress even though she does the similar act of adultery or she marries another man?
3b but if her husband dies, she is free from that law, so that she is no adulteress, though she has married another man.After her husband's death if she marries another man then she is not committing adultery.
In other words while she become widow she has real freedom or every right to marry another man.
(Warren Wiersbe) As long as they live, the husband and wife are under the authority of the law of marriage. If the woman leaves the man and marries another man, she commits adultery. But if the husband dies, she is free to remarry because she is no longer a wife. It is death that has broken the marriage relationship and set her free.
How this husband and wife illustration will apply to those who become Christians?
4 Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another--to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God.By birth we were married to sin and bound to law either the laws in the Bible or the laws through our conscience. When we believe in Jesus Christ we have died to sin and died to the law while we died with Jesus Christ and married (betrothed) to Jesus Christ while we raised from dead with Jesus Christ.
(Warren Wiersbe) It appears that Paul has confused his illustration, but he has not. When we were unsaved ("in the flesh," Rom. 7:5), we were under the authority of God's Law. We were condemned by that Law. When we trusted Christ and were united to Him, we died to the Law just as we died to the flesh (Rom. 6:1-10). The Law did not die; we died.
But in Paul's illustration from marriage, it was the husband who died and the wife who married again. If you and I are represented by the wife, and the Law is represented by the husband, then the application does not follow the illustration. If the wife died in the illustration, the only way she could marry again would be to come back from the dead. But that is exactly what Paul wants to teach! When we trusted Christ, we died to the Law; but in Christ, we arose from the dead and now are "married" (united) to Christ to live a new kind of life!
Did he not explain that relationship between sin and law in Romans 5:20a, 21a?
4 Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another--to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God.Yes, Paul stated the relationship between law and the sin in
Romans 5:20a,21a - 20 Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, 21 so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
In Romans 6:1-11, Paul clearly explained that we are Dead to sin:
Romans 6:2-8 - 1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? 3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. 7 For he who has died has been freed from sin. 8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. 10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11 Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
(David Guzik) In Romans 6:3-8, Paul carefully explained that we died with Jesus and we also rose with Him, although Paul there only spoke of our death to sin.
We have died to sin with Jesus Christ and raised with Jesus Christ was clearly explained in
So, if we were dead to sin then we were dead to law because if we are alive to law then sin will abound in us as.
(David Guzik) Now he explains that we also died to the law.
Some might think, "Yes, we were saved by grace, but we must live by law to please God." Here Paul makes it plain that believers are dead to the law as far as it represents a principle of living or a place of right standing before God.
However, we are not free from the law so we can live unto ourselves. We are free so we can be "married" to Jesus and so that we can bear fruit to God.
(Warren Wiersbe) "You were not justified by keeping the Law," he argued, "and you cannot be sanctified by keeping the Law."
Paul wanted to spare his readers this difficult and dangerous experience.
Is this teaching that Christians are not under the law or dead to the law taught in other portions of the Bible?
4 Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another--to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God.Yes, Christians or believers in Christ are no longer under the law, dead to the law or no longer need to keep the law. These are well described in many places in the Bible:
Acts 15:1,5 - 1 And certain men came down from Judea and taught the b
rethren, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved." 2 Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and dispute with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders, about this question. ... ... ... 5 But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, "It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses."
Here one of the fundamental and important theological question arise among the early church ... Based on Acts 15:1,5 the real question is...
Is faith alone is enough or do we need to circumcise and keep the law to get saved and to walk with God? or
Do we need to circumcise and keep the law to get saved and to walk with God in addition to believing (or have faith) in the Lord Jesus Christ?
Let us see how the elders and the apostles handling this and answering this challenging question...
Acts 15:6-12 - 6 Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter. 7 And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them: "Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us, 9 and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. 10 Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they." 12 Then all the multitude kept silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul declaring how many miracles and wonders God had worked through them among the Gentiles.
Acts 15:24 - Since we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, "You must be circumcised and keep the law"--to whom we gave no such commandment--
New Covenant:
Luke 22:20 - 19 And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me." 20 Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.
Heb 8:10-13 - 7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second. 8 Because finding fault with them, He says: "Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah-- 9 not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they did not continue in My covenant, and I disregarded them, says the Lord. 10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 11 None of them shall teach his neighbor, and none his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' for all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them. 12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more." 13 In that He says, "A new covenant," He has made the first obsolete
Above is reference from
Jer 31:33,34 - 33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 34 No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more."
(Morris) "Believers are through with the law. It is not for them an option as a way of salvation. They do not seek to be right with God by obeying some form of law, as the adherents of almost all religions have done."
What fruit does the law produced in us before we become Christians?
5 For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death.Law produce the fruit death that leads to everlasting suffering in Hell.
Law kindles the sinful passion within us.
This is one of the main point Paul is going to explain in this chapter Romans 7:8-25.
(David Guzik) Under the law, we did not bear fruit to God. Instead we bore fruit to death, because the law aroused the passions of sins within us.
Paul will explain this problem of the law more fully in Romans 7:7-14.
But now we see his point - that we only come fully to the place of bearing fruit for God when we are free from the law.
What is "dead to the law" means?
4 Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another--to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God.
It means...Delivered from the law:
Dead to the law means delivered from the law.
Romans 7:6 - But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter.
The day we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior then we have dead to the law or God delivered us from the any form of law that we were bound to.
The Law cannot exercise authority or dominion over a dead person:
Since we have died with Jesus Christ through baptism so, law cannot exercise authority over a dead person.
Romans 7:4 Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another--to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God.
Romans 6:4-6 - 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.
Romans 6:14 - For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace
New life in Christ:
Romans 7:4 Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another--to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God.
Romans 6:4-11 - 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. 7 For he who has died has been freed from sin. 8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. 10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11 Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Is the law is dead?
(Warren Wiersbe) The Law did not die, because God's Law still rul]es over men.
We died to the Law, and it no longer has dominion over us.
Can we say law is no more valid for Christians?
No, through the law we will know right from wrong, or through law we gain knowledge about sin.
Romans 3:20 - Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
Romans 7:7 - What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, "You shall not covet." 8 But sin, taking opportunity by the commandment, produced in me all manner of evil desire. For apart from the law sin was dead.
Why Christians were dead to the law or delivered from the law?
Christians were dead to the law or delivered from the law because...The law does not justify us nor sanctify us:
By keeping the law no one will be saved:
Romans 3:20 - Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
By keeping the law Christians will not sanctified or grow in the Lord or become more holy or righteous, or never become man or woman after God's own heart. (In this chapter Romans 7 Paul is explaining this in detail):
(Warren Wiersbe) "You were not justified by keeping the Law," he argued, "and you cannot be sanctified by keeping the Law."
(David Guzik) Because we died with Jesus at Calvary, we are dead to the law and delivered from its dominion over us as a principle of justification or of sanctification.
The law does not justify us; it does not make us right with God. The law does not sanctify us; it does not take us deeper with God and make us more holy before Him.
To bear fruit to God.
4 Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another--to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God.What is "bearing fruit" means?
Bearing fruit means producing outcome or producing result.
If you follow anything you will produce outcome or result.
Since death to law produce new life in Christ so, dead to the law also produce fruit to God by obeying the leading of indwelling Holy Spirit. This will produce the Godly character within us.
Gal 5:22-23 - 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
To serve in the newness of the Spirit:
6 But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter.What is "serve in the newness of the Spirit" means?
Serving God as per the leading of the Holy Spirit.
John 16:13-14 - 13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.
Heb 8:10-13 - 10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 11 None of them shall teach his neighbor, and none his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' for all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them. 12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more." 13 In that He says, "A new covenant," He has made the first obsolete
2 Cor 3:3 - 1 Do we begin again to commend ourselves? Or do we need, as some others, epistles of commendation to you or letters of commendation from you? 2 You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men; 3 clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart.
(Now you say...) Is it ok for Christians to live a lawless lifestyle because they were dead to the law?
No, Christians are not lawless to do anything they like or not licensed to sin and live in a sinful lifestyle because Christians are dead to sin and live for Christ.
(Warren Wiersbe) We are not "lawless"; we are united to Christ, sharing His life, and thus walking "in newness of life."
In fact Christians not under the dictates of the law but fulfill the law when they walk as per the leading of the Holy Spirit:
Gal 5:16-18 - 16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
How we should bear fruit of God and serve in the newness of the Spirit?
By abiding in Jesus Christ i.e. by obeying the gentle voice of the His Holy Spirit or obeying the leading of the His Holy Spirit:
John 15:5 - I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
Gal 5:22-23 - 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Serving God as per the leading of the Holy Spirit and by delighting in Him He will put His desire in our hearts.
Ps 37:4-5 - 4 Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.
NLT Phil 2:13 - For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him.
Phil 2:13 - for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
How to Walk in the Spirit?
Read this Galatians 5:16-26 - How to Walk in the Spirit? article for more details.How God speaks to Christians/believers in Christ?
God speaks to us only through His Holy Spirit.
John 16:13-14 - 13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.
What do you need to listen to the voice of God?
We need the Holy Spirit i.e. the Spirit of God:
NLT: 1 Cor 2:14-15 - 14 But people who aren't Christians can't understand these truths from God's Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them because only those who have the Spirit can understand what the Spirit means. 15 We who have the Spirit understand these things, but others can't understand us at all.
So, without receiving Holy Spirit we cannot hear His voice.
How do you receive the Holy Spirit?
To receive the Holy Spirit we need to believe in Jesus Christ which is called born again in His Holy Spirit. That is why Jesus says in
John 3:3-6 - 3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." 4 Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?"5 Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
God lives or dwells with in us once we become Christian:
NLT: 1 Corl 6:19-20 - 19 Or don't you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.
How long God's Holy Spirit (or God) lives within us?
He lives within us forever and ever:
NLT: John 14:16 - And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, who will never leave you.
John 14:16 - 15 "If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever--
[Moses 120 years old giving a departing speech:] Deut 31:6 - Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you."
Hebrews 13:5 - Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
We may grieve or quench Him but He never leaves based on our behavior:
Ephesians 4:30 - And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
1 Thes 5:19 - Do not quench the Spirit.
What are all the ways and means God speaks to Christians/believers in Christ by the Holy Spirit?
Through the Word of God (2 Tim 3:16, Psalm 119:11, 105): This is the most clear and effective way of God's communication with his people. If you want to know how things works perfectly, you need to read the manual. Bible is God's manual for his people. But as in case with other manuals, we often ignore Bible. How often do we try everything else, but his words?
Through the inner still, small voice (Acts 11:12, Acts 13:2, Acts 16:6-7, 1 Kings 19:12, Isaiah 30:19-21)
Through the advice and counsel of men and women of God (Prov 12:15)
Through the Audible Voice of God (Acts 9:4-5)
Through Dreams (Matthew 1:20-21) - There are many instances in the bible, when God clearly communicates through dreams.
Through Visions (Acts 10:9-18, 18:9,10)
Through Angels (Luke 1: 26-38)
By circumstances: There is a danger though, letting mere circumstances run our lives, can be opening doors to Satan. So be wise with regards to your circumstances and expect God to speak to you through them.
After Stephen's martyrdom in
Acts 8:4 - 1 Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. 3 As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison. 4 Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.Acts 18:2 - And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome); and he came to them.
By Inner Conviction and Peace: It is similar to the inner still, small voice. God can give you deep conviction and inner peace about something. (Phil 4:6-7)
So, Christians will fulfill the law when they walk as per the leading of the Holy Spirit but not under the dictates of the law or the dictates of their heart's (selfish desire):
Gal 5:16-18 - 16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Col 2:6- 23 - 6 As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; 10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. 11 In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, 14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it. 16 So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, 17 which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ. 18 Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God. 20 Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations-- 21 "Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle," 22 which all concern things which perish with the using--according to the commandments and doctrines of men? 23 These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.
How well do you serve in the newness of the Spirit?
(David Guzik) Our freedom is not given so we can stop serving God but so that we can serve Him better, under the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter.
It is a shame that many serve sin or legalism with more devotion than those who should serve God out of the newness of the Spirit.
It is unfortunate when fear motivates us more than love.
(Warren Wiersbe) In the old life of sin, we brought forth fruit "unto death," but in the new life of grace, we "bring forth fruit unto God." To be "dead to the Law" does not mean that we lead lawless lives. It simply means that the motivation and dynamic of our lives does not come from the Law: it comes from God's grace through our union with Christ.
(Warren Wiersbe) To begin with, the Holy Spirit of God energizes us as we seek to obey and serve the Lord. (The word spirit ought to be capitalized in Romans 7:6— "newness of Spirit.")
Under Law, no enablement was given. God's commandments were written on stones and read to the people.
But under grace, God's Word is written in our hearts (2 Cor. 3:1-3). We "walk in newness of life" (Rom. 6:4) and serve "in newness of Spirit."
The believer, then, is no longer under the authority of the Law.
What is the difference between "serve in the newness of the Spirit" and "serve in the oldness of the letter"?
What is different about Christian service as opposed to our old life of sin?Which verse do you select and follow if some one or a believer in Christ hurt you or sin against you?
Matt 18:15-17 - 15 "Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that 'by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.' 17 And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.
1 Peter 4:8 - And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins."
Matt 5:44-45 - 43 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,... ... 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?
1 Cor 13:4,7 - 4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Matt 18:21-22 - 21 Then Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" 22 Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.
Rev 2:6 - But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
No matter what happens we need to forgive, love that person even though we hate that person's sinful deeds.
But at the same time God will lead us through His Holy Spirit weather to go and talk to that person as refereed in Matt 18:15-17 or just cover their sins as in 1 Peter 4:8.
Do you always dust off of your feet and move to next city, or other group of people or endure like Stephen until to his death if someone whom you preached opposed, denied or blasphemed against you?
Luke 10:10-11 - 10 But [Jesus says] whatever city you enter, and they do not receive you, go out into its streets and say, 11 'The very dust of your city which clings to us we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near you.'
Let us see this in detail in Acts 18:4-9
Acts 18:5 - 4 And he [In Corinth Paul] reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks. 5 When Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul was compelled by the Spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ.
Train yourself to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit.
What is their response?
Acts 18:6a But when they opposed him and blasphemed,
What was Paul's response when they opposed and blasphemed?
Acts 18:6b - 6b he shook his garments and said to them, "Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles." 7 And he departed from there and entered the house of a certain man named Justus, one who worshiped God, whose house was next door to the synagogue. 8 Then Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized.
Here Paul responded as per Jesus teaching in Luke 10:10-11
Is this what Jesus wants Paul to do here?
No.
Acts18:9-10 - 9 Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, "Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; 10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city." 11 And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
Here Jesus request Paul to wait because Jesus knows the hearts of the people. He knows how many is looking for Him. Our God is all knowing God.
When Paul encounter that opposition he would have never thought/imagined that Crispus the ruler of the synagogue and many others will accept the Lord and baptize. In addition to them Paul might have sown the seed to many other Jews and gentiles during this time...
Therefore do not serve God as per your desire but seek God and He will direct you. He knows the needy heart. He will lead us how He led Philip to a desert to reach out Eunuch in Acts 8.
As a matured Christian do you choose to do something special for God as per your desire?
David is man after God's own heart because he obeyed God as per His direction.
David requested God to build a temple for Him:
2 Sam 7:2 - that the king [David] said to Nathan the prophet, "See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells inside tent curtains."
What is Nathan's response?
2 Sam 7:3 Then Nathan said to the king, "Go, do all that is in your heart, for the Lord is with you."
Is this what God wants?
No.
2 Sam 7:4-6 - 4 But it happened that night that the word of the Lord came to Nathan, saying, 5 "Go and tell My servant David, 'Thus says the Lord: "Would you build a house for Me to dwell in? 6 For I have not dwelt in a house since the time that I brought the children of Israel up from Egypt, even to this day, but have moved about in a tent and in a tabernacle
Even though David desired to build the temple but God didn't permit David to build the temple. David didn't ignore or rebel against God but he just obeyed God.
If happens to David don't ever thing of doing anything special for God assuming that God will be pleased by your act.
So, before doing anything special or great to God go and check with Him.
Therefore do not serve God or lead your life as your heart leads or as per your desire but seek God and He will direct our paths.
NLT: Prov 3:6 - Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths.
Are you (unmarried) trying to please God by marrying a widow/widower, poor, not good looking, lame, blind, low cast, ... ?
God loves such a heart at the same time do not marry a widow or widower thinking that God will be pleased by your act.
But marry a widow or widower, lame, blind, ... or even marry a prostitute if God leads you to do so.
Hosea married harlot or prostitute to demonstrate how Israelites committing spiritual adultery
NLT: Hosea 1:2-3 - 2 When the LORD first began speaking to Israel through Hosea, he said to him, "Go and marry a prostitute, so some of her children will be born to you from other men. This will illustrate the way my people have been untrue to me, openly committing adultery against the LORD by worshiping other gods. 3 So Hosea married Gomer, the daughter of Diblaim, and she became pregnant and gave Hosea a son
NLT: Hosea 3:1 - 1 Then the LORD said to me, "Go and get your wife again. Bring her back to you and love her, even though she loves adultery. For the LORD still loves Israel even though the people have turned to other gods, offering them choice gifts. " 2 So I bought her back for fifteen pieces of silver and about five bushels of barley and a measure of wine.
Always be ready to marry whomever God leads. Do not just stick on to your check list.
God will not always lead everyone to marry abnormal people. When you seek Him diligently He will give you a perfect match that you will never regret.
Luke 11:13 - 10 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 11 If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!"
Do you receive the task from God and accomplish based on your ability or accomplish as per your desire or accomplish based on the response/feedback?
God gave a big task to Noah to build the ark. He did not alter God's plan because of people's criticism but He completed as per God's specification.
Nehemiah didn't stop building the wall because of neighbors criticisim.
Jeremiah tried many times to quit prophesying because of people and kings persecution but God continued to prophecy through him. Even God asked him not to get married as per Jer 16:1.
God expects us to complete task as per His expectation with His help:
NIV: Revelation 3:2 - Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God
Are you ready to obey as per the dynamic leading of the Holy Spirit as God led Peter in Acts 10?
Acts 10:9-20 - 9 The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour. 10 Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance 11 and saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth. 12 In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. 13 And a voice came to him, "Rise, Peter; kill and eat." 14 But Peter said, "Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean." 15 And a voice spoke to him again the second time, "What God has cleansed you must not call common." 16 This was done three times. And the object was taken up into heaven again. 17 Now while Peter wondered within himself what this vision which he had seen meant, behold, the men who had been sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate. 18 And they called and asked whether Simon, whose surname was Peter, was lodging there. 19 While Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Behold, three men are seeking you. 20 Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them."
Peter denies to eat the meat offered by God - God uses this to lead peter to Gentiles.
Same way God is leading you and you may be keep denying God. Go ahead and walk by faith. If God leads He will provide.
Summary: Serve God as per the leading of the Holy Spirit not as per your hearts dictate:
Jer 18:12 - And they said, "That is hopeless! So we will walk according to our own plans, and we will every one obey the dictates of his evil heart."
Josh 24:15 - And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
The Ministry of the Law
7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, "You shall not covet." 8 But sin, taking opportunity by the commandment, produced in me all manner of evil desire. For apart from the law sin was dead. 9 I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died. 10 And the commandment, which was to bring life, I found to bring death. 11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it killed me. 12 Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good. 13 Has then what is good become death to me? Certainly not! But sin, that it might appear sin, was producing death in me through what is good, so that sin through the commandment might become exceedingly sinful.
Is the law sin?
7a What shall we say then? Is the law sin?7b Certainly not!
What are the purpose of the law?
Law reveals our sin or sheds the knowledge about right and wrong:
Romans 7:7c On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, "You shall not covet."
Romans 3:20 - Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
Romans 4:15 - because the law brings about wrath; for where there is no law there is no transgression.
Romans 5:13 - (For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
(David Guzik) The law is like an x-ray machine; it reveals what is there but hidden. You can't blame an x-ray for what it exposes.
Law is the tutor or school master that lead us to Jesus:
NLT: Gal 3:19-25 - 19 Well then, why was the law given? It was given to show people how guilty they are. But this system of law was to last only until the coming of the child to whom God's promise was made. And there is this further difference. God gave his laws to angels to give to Moses, who was the mediator between God and the people. 20 Now a mediator is needed if two people enter into an agreement, but God acted on his own when he made his promise to Abraham. 21 Well then, is there a conflict between God's law and God's promises? Absolutely not! If the law could have given us new life, we could have been made right with God by obeying it. 22 But the Scriptures have declared that we are all prisoners of sin, so the only way to receive God's promise is to believe in Jesus Christ. 23 Until faith in Christ was shown to us as the way of becoming right with God, we were guarded by the law. We were kept in protective custody, so to speak, until we could put our faith in the coming Savior. 24 Let me put it another way. The law was our guardian and teacher to lead us until Christ came. So now, through faith in Christ, we are made right with God. 25 But now that faith in Christ has come, we no longer need the law as our guardian. 26 So you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
Gal 3:19-25 - 19 What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator. 20 Now a mediator does not mediate for one only, but God is one. 21 Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law. 22 But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. 24 Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after faith [in Jesus] has come, we are no longer under a tutor.
What is happening in us when the law entered in?
The law kindles or arouses our sin:
Romans 7:8 - But sin, taking opportunity by the commandment, produced in me all manner of evil desire. For apart from the law sin was dead.
Romans 7:9 - I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died.
(Warren Wiersbe) Something in human nature wants to rebel whenever a law is given. I was standing in Lincoln Park in Chicago, looking at the newly painted benches; and I noticed a sign on each bench: "Do Not Touch." As I watched, I saw numbers of people deliberately reach out and touch the wet paint! Why? Because the sign told them not to! Instruct a child not to go near the water, and that is the very thing he will do! Why? "Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be" (Rom. 8:7).
(David Guzik) Paul describes the dynamic where the warning "Don't do that!" may become a call to action because of our sinful, rebellious hearts. It isn't the fault of the commandment, but it is our fault.
In American history, we know that the Prohibition Act didn't stop drinking. In many ways it made drinking more attractive to people because of our desire to break boundaries set by the commandment.
A waterfront hotel in Florida was concerned that people might try to fish from the balconies so they put up signs saying, "NO FISHING FROM THE BALCONY." They had constant problems with people fishing from the balconies, with lines and sinker weights breaking windows and bothering people in rooms below. They finally solved the problem by simply taking down the signs - and no one thought to fish from the balconies. Because of our fallen nature, the law can actually work like an invitation to sin.
The law deceives and kills us:
Romans 7:10 And the commandment, which was to bring life, I found to bring death.
Romans 7:11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it killed me.
Gal. 3:21 - "For if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the Law".
(Warren Wiersbe) But the Law cannot give life: it can only show the sinner that he is guilty and condemned. This explains why legalistic Christians and churches do not grow and bear spiritual fruit. They are living by Law, and the Law always kills. Few things are more dead than an orthodox church that is proud of its "high standards" and tries to live up to them in its own energy. Often the members of such a church start to judge and condemn one another, and the sad result is a church fight and then a church split that leaves members—or former members—angry and bitter.
Are these laws or commandments really causing the believers to sin?
13a Has then what is good become death to me?No.
Romans 7:13b Certainly not!
Then, what really causing the believers to sin?
Romans 7:8 - But sin, taking opportunity by the commandment, produced in me all manner of evil desire. For apart from the law sin was dead.
Romans 7:11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it killed me.
Romans 7:13c But sin, that it might appear sin, was producing death in me through what is good,
Romans 7:13d so that sin through the commandment might become exceedingly sinful.
Sin within us causing us to sin more. Or the sin that we inherited from parents (ie from Adam) made us to sin more.
(David Guzik) It isn't the law that deceives us, but it is sin that uses the law as an occasion for rebellion. This is why Jesus said, you shall know the truth, and the truth will set you free (John 8:32). The truth makes us free from the deceptions of sin.
(Warren Wiersbe) Keep in mind too that "the strength of sin is the Law" (1 Cor. 15:56). Since we have a sinful nature, the Law is bound to arouse that nature the way a magnet draws steel.
(David Guzik) Once God draws a boundary for us, we are immediately enticed to cross that boundary - which is no fault of God or His boundary, but the fault of our sinful hearts.
This shows how great the evil of sin is - it can take something good and holy like the law and twist it to promote evil.
Sin warps love into lust,
an honest desire to provide for one's family into greed, and
the law into a promoter of sin.
(Warren Wiersbe) Unsaved people know that there is such a thing as sin; but they do not realize the sinfulness of sin. Many Christians do not realize the true nature of sin. We excuse our sins with words like "mistakes" or "weaknesses"; but God condemns our sins and tries to get us to see that they are "exceedingly sinful. " Until we realize how wicked sin really is, we will never want to oppose it and live in victory.
(Spurgeon) Exceedingly sinful: "Why didn't he say, 'exceedingly black,' or 'exceedingly horrible,' or 'exceedingly deadly'? Why, because there is nothing in the world so bad as sin. When he wanted to use the very worst word he could find to call sin by, he called it by its own name, and reiterated it: 'sin,' 'exceedingly sinful.' "
What happen when sin works through the commandment?
Sin through the commandment might become exceedingly sinful
13 Has then what is good become death to me? Certainly not! But sin, that it might appear sin, was producing death in me through what is good, so that sin through the commandment might become exceedingly sinful.
Then, shall we say law is good?
The law and commandments are not sin as per Romans 7:7a but they are
Holy
Just (Righteous)
Good
Romans 7:12 - Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good.
Romans 7:16 - If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good.
Spiritual
Romans 7:14 - For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin.
Application:
What is doers of the word means?
James 1:22 clearly says we need to be doers of word not hearers only:
James 1:22-25 - 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
John 14:15 - "If you love Me, keep My commandments.
James explains this in chapter 2 and 3:
Mercy triumphs over judgment
James 2:10-13 For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. 11 For He who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not murder." Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty. 13 For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
Faith without works is dead
James 2:14-17 - 4 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. ... ... ... 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
Mat 21:28-32 - 28 "But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, 'Son, go, work today in my vineyard.' 29 He answered and said, 'I will not,' but afterward he regretted it and went. 30 Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, 'I go, sir,' but he did not go. 31 Which of the two did the will of his father?" They said to Him, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you. 32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him; but tax collectors and harlots believed him; and when you saw it, you did not afterward relent and believe him.
How the faith produces work?
Faith produces work when we keep receiving wisdom from above or God and do it.
James 3:15-17 - 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.
 The wisdom from above or God is nothing but God leading believers through Holy Spirit.
The wisdom from world is nothing but living by the flesh or living as per our hearts selfish desires.
Gal 5:16-18 - 16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Paul clearly list what is the outcome if you walk or do as per the wisdom from world and the wisdom from God:
The outcome of walking as per the wisdom from world or walking as per our hearts selfish desires:
Gal 5:19-21 - 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
The outcome (fruit or work of faith) if believer walk as per the wisdom from God or walk as per the Holy Spirit's leading:
Gal 5:22-23 - 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
James clearly explains how to identify whether the wisdom is from God or not or whether God is leading us or not:
If the wisdom is from the world or our heart (conscience) leading then:
James 3:16 - 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.
Our faith produces work or fruit if believer walk as per the wisdom from God or walk as per the Holy Spirit's leading:
James 3:17 - But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.
So, be obedient to God's leading through Holy Spirit. Then you are doers of the word.
Never skip the any portion of the scriptures because
(Warren Wiersbe) The Law is a mirror that reveals the inner man and shows us how dirty we are (James 1:22-25).
This gives us opportunity to confess our sins when God convict us.
Summary:
(David Guzik) Paul understands how someone might take him as saying that he is against the law - but he isn't at all.
It is true that we must die to sin (Romans 6:2) and we must die to the law (Romans 7:4). But that should not be taken to mean that Paul believes that sin and law are in the same basket.
The problem is in us, not in the law. Nevertheless, sin corrupts the work or effect of the law, so we must die to both.
(Warren Wiersbe) Paul's argument here is tremendous:
The Law is not sinful—it is holy, just, and good;
but the Law reveals sin, arouses sin, and then uses sin to slay us; if something as good as the Law accomplishes these results, then something is radically wrong somewhere;
Conclusion: see how sinful sin is when it can use something good like the Law to produce such tragic results. Sin is indeed "exceedingly sinful." The problem is not with the Law; the problem is with my sinful nature. This prepares the way for the third topic in this chapter.
The inability of the Law and Our inability to keep the good Law
14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15 For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. 16 If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. 17 But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. 19 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. 20 Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 21 I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. 22 For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 I thank God--through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.
What is the character of the Law?
(Warren Wiersbe) The character of the Law is described in four words: holy, just, good, and spiritual.
That the Law is holy and just, nobody can deny, because it came from the holy God who is perfectly just in all that He says and does.
The Law is good. It reveals God's holiness to us and helps us to see our need for a Saviour.
12 Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good.
14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin.
16 If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good.
What does it mean that the Law is "spiritual"?
(Warren Wiersbe) It means that the Law deals with the inner man, the spiritual part of man, as well as with the outer actions.
In the original giving of the Law in Exodus, the emphasis was on the outward actions.
But when Moses restated the Law in Deuteronomy, he emphasized the inner quality of the Law as it relates to man's heart. This spiritual emphasis is stated clearly in Deuteronomy 10:12-13. The repetition of the word "love" in Deuteronomy also shows that the deeper interpretation of the Law relates to the inner man (Deut. 4:37; 6:4-6; 10:12; 11:1; 30:6, 16, 20).
Deut 10:12-13 -12 "And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, 13 and to keep the commandments of the Lord and His statutes which I command you today for your good?
Deut 6:4-6 - 4 "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6 "And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.
Deut 11:1 - "Therefore you shall love the Lord your God, and keep His charge, His statutes, His judgments, and His commandments always.
Deut 30:6 - And the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.
Deut 30:20 - that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them."
What is carnal means?
(David Guzik) Carnal uses the ancient Greek word sarkikos, which means, "characterized by the flesh."
Carnal means worldly, not spiritual, selfish, fleshly, ...
NIV: Romans 7:14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin.
Do the law gives us power to perform what we desire/will to do good?
No, even though law is school master that leads to Christ but it will not give you power or discipline you and make you to follow.
Romans 8:3 - For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh,
(David Guzik) The law says: "Here are the rules and you had better keep them." But it gives us no power for keeping the law.
(Warren Wiersbe) Our nature is carnal (fleshly); but the Law's nature is spiritual. This explains why the old nature responds as it does to the Law.
The Law cannot transform the old nature; it can only reveal how sinful that old nature is.
The believer who tries to live under Law will only activate the old nature; he will not eradicate it.
The Law cannot change you (v. 14).
The Law cannot enable you to do good (w. 15-21).
Instead of being a dynamo that gives us power to overcome, the Law is a magnet that draws out of us all kinds of sin and corruption.
Is it law's problem that we are not keeping the law?
No, it is our problem.
14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15 For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. 16 If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good.
Let us see in detail what we have and what we do not have...
Do believers has capacity to desire/will to do good?
18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find.
22 For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man.
Are we practicing the good things that we desire/will to do?
15a For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice;
What are we practicing?
15b but what I hate, that I do.
19 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice.
Why are we not practicing or doing the good things that we desire/will to do?
14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin.
17 But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.
18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find.
20 Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.
21 I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good.
23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.'
(Warren Wiersbe) Three times in this passage Paul stated that sin dwells in us (Rom. 7:17, 18, 20). He was referring, of course, to the old nature.
(C.S. Lewis) Anyone who has tried to do good is aware of this struggle. We never know how hard it is to stop sinning until we try. "No man knows how bad he is until he has tried to be good."
Do we have power to perform the good things that we desire/will to do?
18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find.
Does sin has power to keep us slave to sin?
23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
(David Guzik) Sin is able to war within Paul and win because there is no power in himself other than himself, to stop sinning. Paul is caught in the desperate powerlessness of trying to battle sin in the power of self.
Then, what are we doing actually?
With our mind we serve the law of God, but actually in our flesh we serve the law of sin (live a sinful life or live as per our feelings):
25b So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.(Warren Wiersbe) The statements here indicate that the believer has two serious problems: (1) he cannot do the good he wants to do, and (2) he does the evil that he does not want to do.
What happens if we stay this way?
What happens when a believer tries to keep the law perfectly to please God with their own strength?
That believer sin more and may never realize that he/she is sinning. They live a hypocritical lifestyle and judge others thinking that they are pleasing God.
Romans 7:13 - Has then what is good become death to me? Certainly not! But sin, that it might appear sin, was producing death in me through what is good, so that sin through the commandment might become exceedingly sinful.
What is the name for this type of people?
They are legalist.
What really is "legalism"?
(Warren Wiersbe) It is the belief that I can become holy and please God by obeying laws.
It is measuring spirituality by a list of do's and don'ts
(Warren Wiersbe) Believers who try to live by rules and regulations discover that their legalistic system only arouses more sin and creates more problems. The churches in Galatia were very legalistic, and they experienced all kinds of trouble. "But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another" (Gal. 5:15). Their legalism did not make them more spiritual; it made them more sinful! Why? Because the Law arouses sin in our nature.
(David Guzik) Legalism always brings a person face to face with their own wretchedness, and if they continue in legalism, they will react in one of two ways.
Either they will deny their wretchedness and become self-righteous Pharisees,
or they will despair because of their wretchedness and give up following after God.
Warning: (Warren Wiersbe) As the new Christian grows, he comes into contact with various philosophies of the Christian life. He can read books, attend seminars, listen to tapes, and get a great deal of information.
If he is not careful, he will start following a human leader and accept his teachings as Law. This practice is a very subtle form of legalism, and it kills spiritual growth.
No human teacher can take the place of Christ;
no book can take the place of the Bible.
Men can give us information, but only the Spirit can give us illumination and help us understand spiritual truths. The Spirit enlightens us and enables us; no human leader can do that.
Warning: We become legalist.
Is there any deliverance from this struggle?
Yes, there is only way available if that person finally come to a point of wretchedness and look for help:
24a O wretched man that I am!What is wretched means?
(David Guzik) The ancient Greek word wretched is more literally, "wretched through the exhaustion of hard labor."
(Warren Wiersbe) The Greek word indicates a person who is exhausted after a battle.
NLT: Romans 7:24 - Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin?
DG) Paul is completely worn out and wretched because of his unsuccessful effort to please God under the principle of Law.
Paul has referred to himself some 40 times since Romans 7:13. In the pit of his unsuccessful struggle against sin, Paul became entirely self-focused and self-obsessed. This is the place of any believer living under law, who looks to self and personal performance.
(Warren Wiersbe) The believer has an old nature that wants to keep him in bondage; "I will get free from these old sins!" the Christian says to himself. "I determine here and now that I will not do this any longer." What happens? He exerts all his willpower and energy, and for a time succeeds; but then when he least expects it, he falls again. Why? Because he tried to overcome his old nature with Law, and the Law cannot deliver us from the old nature.
When you move under the Law, you are only making the old nature stronger; because "the strength of sin is the Law" (1 Cor. 15:56). The inward man may delight in the Law of God (Ps. 119:35), but the old nature delights in breaking the Law of God.
No wonder the believer under Law becomes tired and discouraged, and eventually gives up! He is a captive, and his condition is "wretched."
What could be more wretched than exerting all your energy to try to live a good life, only to discover that the best you do is still not good enough!
Who will deliver us from this wretchedness? Or
24b Who will deliver me from this body of death?25a I thank God--through Jesus Christ our Lord!
(David Guzik) The entire tone of the statement shows that Paul is desperate for deliverance. He is overwhelmed with a sense of his own powerlessness and sinfulness. We must come to the same place of desperation to find victory.
Finally, Paul looks outside of himself and unto Jesus. As soon as he looks to Jesus, he has something to thank God for - and he thanks God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Through means that Paul sees Jesus standing between himself and God, bridging the gap and providing the way to God. Lord means Paul has put Jesus in the right place - as Lord and master of his life.
The words "Who will deliver me" show that Paul has given up on himself, and asks "Who will deliver me?" instead of "How will I deliver myself?"
He acknowledges the state of struggle, but thanks God for the victory in Jesus.
Paul doesn't pretend that looking to Jesus takes away the struggle - Jesus works through us, not instead of us in the battle against sin.
Your desire must go beyond a vague hope to be better. You must cry out against yourself and cry out unto God with the desperation Paul had.
The glorious truth remains: there is victory in Jesus! Jesus didn't come and die just to give us more or better rules, but to live out His victory through those who believe. The message of the gospel is that there is victory over sin, hate, death, and all evil as we surrender our lives to Jesus and let Him live out victory through us.
(Poole) "It is not the voice of one desponding or doubting, but of one breathing and panting after deliverance."
(Warren Wiersbe) Of course! "I thank God that there is Someone who shall deliver me—Jesus Christ our Lord!" Because the believer is united to Christ, he is dead to the Law and no longer under its authority. But he is alive to God and able to draw on the power of the Holy Spirit.
The explanation of this victory is given in Romans 8.
By "the mind" Paul meant "the inward man" (Rom. 7:22) as opposed to "the flesh" (Rom. 7:18). He amplified this thought in Romans 8:5-8. The old nature cannot do anything good. Everything the Bible says about the old nature is negative: "no good thing" (Rom. 7:18); "the flesh profiteth nothing" (John 6:63); "no confidence in the flesh" (Phil. 3:3). If we depend on the energy of the flesh, we cannot serve God, please God, or do any good thing. But if we yield to the Holy Spirit, then we have the power needed to obey His will. The flesh will never serve the Law of God because the flesh is at war with God. But the Spirit can only obey • the Law of God! Therefore, the secret of doing good is to yield to the Holy Spirit.
(Warren Wiersbe) Three times in this passage Paul stated that sin dwells in us (Rom. 7:17, 18, 20). He was referring, of course, to the old nature. It is also true that the Holy Spirit dwells in us; and in Romans 8, Paul explained how the Spirit of God enables us to live in victory, something the Law cannot help us do.
Was Paul describing his experience while he was a non-believer or as a believer?
Paul clearly stated in past tense in Romans 7:5 that we were in the flesh and in Romans 7:6 that we have been delivered from the law
Romans 7:5 - For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death.
Romans 7:6 - But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter.
Also starting from Romans 7:7-12 he was using past tense.
Romans 7:7-11 - 7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, "You shall not covet." 8 But sin, taking opportunity by the commandment, produced in me all manner of evil desire. For apart from the law sin was dead. 9 I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died. 10 And the commandment, which was to bring life, I found to bring death. 11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it killed me.
Starting from Romans 7:13 Paul was using present and present continuous tense.
14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15 For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. 16 If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. 17 But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. 19 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. 20 Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 21 I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. 22 For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 I thank God--through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.
Finally, he is reminding the believers that we believers are not in the flesh but in the Spirit.
Romans 8:9 - But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.
Paul is stating that do not live in flesh i.e. in your old nature but live as per the leading of the Holy Spirit. This we will see in Romans 8:1-17.
(David Guzik) There is a debate among Christians as to if Paul was a Christian during the experience he describes. Some look at his struggle with sin and believe that it must have been before he was born again. Others believe that he is just a Christian struggling with sin. In a sense this is an irrelevant question, for this is the struggle of anyone who tries to obey God in their own strength. This experience of struggle and defeat is something that a Christian may experience, but something that a non-Christian can only experience.
What is the main difference between Romans 6 and Romans 7?
(Warren Wiersbe) In Romans 6 the problem there was, "How can I stop doing bad things?" while the problem here [in Romans 7] is, "How can I ever do anything good?"
Application:
Is it ok for the Christians to have split personality or a believer lives a divided lifestyle?
Romans 7:14-23 - 14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15 For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. 16 If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. 17 But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. ... 20 Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 21 I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. 22 For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.(Warren Wiersbe) The many pronouns in this section indicate that the writer is having a problem with self. This is not to say that the Christian is a split personality, because he is not.
The final sentence in the chapter does not teach that the believer lives a divided life: sinning with his flesh but serving God with his mind. This would mean that his body was being used in two different ways at the same time, and this is impossible. The believer realizes that there is a struggle within him between the flesh and the Spirit (Gal. 5:16-18), but he knows that one or the other must be in control.
Salvation makes a man whole. But it does indicate that the believer's mind, will, and body can be conÂtrolled either by the old nature or the new nature, either by the flesh or the Spirit.
What is the other name for that?
Hypocrisy
Matt. 23:27 - 27 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness. 28 Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.
Gal 2:11-13 - 11 Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; 12 for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. 13 And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, "If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews? 15 We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, 16 knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified. 17 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ therefore a minister of sin? Certainly not! 18 For if I build again those things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.
Romans 12:9 - Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.
1 Thes 5:23 - Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 8:11 - But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
2 Cor 7:1 - Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Gal 2:19-20 - 19 For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain."
Are you delight in the law of God in your inward man?
Romans 7:22 - For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man.
Paul knows that his real inward man has a delight in the law of God. He understands that the impulse towards sin comes from another law in my members. Paul knows that the "real self" is the one who does delight in the law of God.
Are you producing fruit unto God?
(Warren Wiersbe) Paul hinted at this in the early verses of this chapter when he wrote, "That we should bring forth fruit unto God" (Rom. 7:4).
Just as we are dead to the old nature, so we are dead to the Law. But we are united to Christ and alive in Christ, and therefore can bring forth fruit unto God. It is our union with Christ that enables us to serve God acceptably.
"For, it is God which worketh in you, both to will and to do of His good pleasure" (Phil 2:13). That solved Paul's problem in Romans 7:18: "For to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not."
The old nature knows no law and the new nature needs no law.
Legalism makes a believer wretched because it grieves the new nature and aggravates the old nature!
The legalist becomes a Pharisee whose outward actions are acceptable, but whose inward attitudes are despicable. No wonder Jesus called them "whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness" (Matt. 23:27). How wretched can you get! The best is yet to come!
Romans 8 explains the work of the Holy Spirit in overcoming the bad and producing the good.
(Spurgeon) "It was the custom of ancient tyrants, when they wished to put men to the most fearful punishments, to tie a dead body to them, placing the two back to back; and there was the living man, with a dead body closely strapped to him, rotting, putrid, corrupting, and this he must drag with him wherever he went. Now, this is just what the Christian has to do. He has within him the new life; he has a living and undying principle, which the Holy Spirit has put within him, but he feels that everyday he has to drag about with him this dead body, this body of death, a thing as loathsome, as hideous, as abominable to his new life, as a dead stinking carcass would be to a living man."
Summary:
In Romans 7, he discussed three topics, which, if understood and applied, will deliver us from legalism.
The Authority of the Law (Rom. 7:1-6)
We died to the Law (vv. 4-5)
We are delivered from the Law (v. 6)
The Ministry of the Law (Rom. 7:7-13)
The Law reveals sin (v. 7)
The Law arouses sin (vv. 8-9)
The Law kills (vv. 10-11)
Sin within me takes opportunity by the law/commandment produced evil desire within me and kills me (vv 8,11)
The law is not sin but holy, good, just (v 12)
The Law with my sin makes us to be exceedingly sinful (v 13).
The Inability of the Law and our Inability to keep the Law (Romans 7:14-23, 25b)
The Law is spiritual and good but we are worldly/fleshly/unspiritual (v. 14,16)
We think or desire good but we have no power to perform the good thing so we practice bad (vv 15, 18,19)
Sin within me keeps me under the slavery of sin (vv 17,18,21,23)
The Law works in our inward man or mind so we think right but it has no power to do right (vv. 15-21)
In mind we serve the Law of God but in our flesh we serve the law of sin (v 25b)
Only Jesus Christ can set us free from this struggle (Romans 7:24-25a)
Romans 6, 7, 8:1-17
We are dead to sin:
Romans 6:7 - For he who has died has been freed from sin.
Romans 6:16 - Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?
NLT: Rom 6:16 - Don't you realize that whatever you choose to obey becomes your master? You can choose sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God and receive his approval.
We are (dead to the law) not under the law but under grace.
Romans 6:14 - For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.
Romans 7:4 - Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another--to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God.
Romans 7:6 - But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter.
So, we need to grow in the grace of God by following the leading of the Holy Spirit:
Romans 7:6 - But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter.
In fact Christians not under the dictates of the law but fulfill the law when they walk as per the leading of the Holy Spirit:
Gal 5:16-18 - 16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Romans 8:4 - that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
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