Poem and Notes for Romans 7:14-25

Last Sunday in SS one of our members brought recited a poem that dealt with the two natures we have been studying about in Sunday School.  We thought we'd send it on to everyone.

Two natures beat within my breast,

One is foul, the other blessed.

One I love, and one I hate,

But the one I feed will dominate.

 

 

Also here are the notes from Romans 7:14-25

 

“Paul’s Self-Analysis”

By Pastor Rich Paradis

Romans 7:14-25

 

Paul continues his discussion from Vs.1-13 in the passage before us. The question before us in the previous passage was “Is the Law sin?” It was concluded that the Law was not sin, even though sin found a pathway through the Law because of our sinful natures. The previous passage was written in the past tense, but in the passage before us the verbs become present tense. Paul will give us an incredibly transparent look into the life of the believer, with its struggle between two conflicting natures.

 

Words that are used often in this passage:

Law = 9

I / Me = 24 and 7

My or Myself = 5 and 1

Doing / Do = 5 and 8

Sin = 5

 

Questioning the passage:

How does the opening statement of Vs. 14 continue the thoughts of the previous 13 verses?

What is the struggle that Paul is having? Why is he having it?

Is this a struggle common to man, or is it something specific only to Paul?

Is Paul ducking personal responsibility in Vs. 17, or is there an important theological truth being shared here? (See 1 John 3:6)

Is Paul saved or unsaved? Explain your answer using the passage as a whole.

What is the purpose of Paul’s exclamation is.Vs.24?

What is the answer to Paul’s question / exclamation in Vs.25?

What is the answer to living the conflicted life straddling our two natures?

I.                   The “Spiritual” Law Versus “Fleshly” Paul    Romans 7:14

a.       Verse 14 opens with an interesting comment, “We know…” Who is this “we”? The “we” of this passage are the believers receiving this important letter. The unbeliever would not come up with the conclusion of Vs. 12, stating that the Law was “holy, and righteous, and good.”

b.      But Paul continues his statement by admitting that in addition to this knowledge of the Law and its goodness and his position as a believer, he is “fleshly”. He is human. He is made of flesh. But he is also admitting that this “fleshiness” is sold into bondage to sin. In a very real sense, Paul is admitting that he is still a slave to sin’s presence in his life. How could this be? I thought when I got saved; sin ran away from me and had no effect on me and my daily life? Is Paul’s situation something that is “his problem”, or is his problem a problem that is common to all mankind? How does the admission of this problem in Paul’s life interface with the conversations that we have had about our position in Christ?

c.       Romans 6:6 told us that our old self was crucified with Him in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin. Some question as to whether this could even be spoken by a believer, but he is not admitting that he is not saved. He is admitting that there is a conflict going on within him regarding sin and its presence and power in him on a daily basis. In this very admission, we begin to see our connection to this passage and its contents.

d.      In this continuing discussion of the doctrine of sanctification, we are introduced to the “now, and not yet” of sanctification. When we were saved we were positionally sanctified, that is we were “set apart” for God’s usage. That happened at the moment of our salvation and was a completed work. Additionally, there began a process of practical sanctification, where more and more of our lives are being given over to the lordship of Jesus Christ. This work is not yet completed. So in a very real way, we are “now” sanctified positionally, and “not yet” sanctified practically. We are positionally in the right place, while still awaiting complete sanctification from the present power of sin in our daily lives.

 

II.                Paul’s Self-Analysis    Romans 7:15-23

a.       Paul begins his self-analysis by admitting that he doesn’t understand what he’s doing. Almost like a kid that has been caught doing something wrong, he tells his readers that “doesn’t understand” what is going on.

b.      Verse 15 gives us some insight into his position as a believer when he says that he is not practicing what he would “like” to be doing. The power of sin is still present in his life, creating a conflict that Paul is struggling with.

c.       Verse 16 reminds us that even as Paul is struggling, rebellious and disobedient at times, he knows that the law is essentially good and an important part of his life.

d.      In Vs. 17, Paul does not try to escape moral responsibility. He is merely admitting the hold that sin has on him as it “dwells” in him, having its influence on him and his daily life.

e.       Verse 18 has Paul seemingly increasing in his understanding of his dilemma. He notes that there is nothing good in him, at least not in his flesh. He is not saying that he has nothing good in him because we know that as a believer the blessed Holy Spirit indwells us. He is merely noting the absence of anything good related to his own flesh. But I love the following statement; the “willing” is present in me, even though doing good is not. Can you relate to that statement? I am willing, but I am weak.

f.       Verse 19-21 goes on to restate the fact that Paul seems to be going the opposite direction from where he wants to go. He wants to do good, but he continues to fail. He is not failing because of his position in Christ; he is failing because of the battle between the two natures that indwell him. Evil is present in him and he wants to do right. He is a believer that is struggling through a battle. This battle will indeed be with us until the very presence of sin is accomplished in glorification following our physical death.

g.      Verse 22-23 goes on to say that even in this battle Paul is joyfully in agreement with the law of God in his heart. While this is what is going on in his mind, there is a different war waging in his body (his members). And this war has taken him prisoner to the law and its penalty.

 

III.             Paul’s Conclusions    Romans 7:24-25

a.       Verse 24 has Paul’s conclusion as it relates to him and this battle that is waging within him. He calls himself a “wretched man”. What an incredible analysis to put on oneself. He doesn’t try to skirt the issue or to explain away his attitude and heart. He merely calls it what it is: wretched!

b.      The verse continues with a question. If I can’t help myself because my wretchedness, who can? Who can set me free from myself?

c.       Verse 25 answers Paul’s question before summarizing the entire passage. First of all, he answers the question: Jesus Christ is the answer to this dilemma. If you find yourself unable to beat your own passions and sinful actions, call on Jesus!

d.      And to summarize the passage, Paul says that indeed there are 2 natures that are in battle against one another. There is our sinful nature, trying to reclaim the ground lost positionally when we were saved and there is the law of God helping us to move forward in the process of practical sanctification.

 

IV.             An Application For All Of Us

a.       There are two natures at work in all believers, one that is moving forward for Christ and one that is trying to return to our previous position of enslavement and bondage.

b.      The answer to “how to win” is not to be found in ourselves; it is found in Jesus Christ our Lord.

c.       Do you have a persistent sin that enslaves you? Give it over to Christ…He can make all the difference in the world!