Clearly, Romans 7:15-8:4 teaches that believers have two natures; that our old nature is not done away with at conversion nor at any time before our going home to be with the Lord. It further teaches that because our old nature is totally bad; it cannot be improved. Therefore, the only way to victory over sin is not by wrestling with it, but by faith, considering ourselves to be dead to sin by accepting God’s Word that our old man was crucified with Christ.
It doesn't follow, however, that our old nature is dead experientially, otherwise why are we told to consider him dead? Judicially, our old nature has been put to death in Christ, and now it is up to us to live out this truth by putting off our old, dead selves and putting on the new (Col 3:9-10).
Herein lies victory over sin; by deciding to put on the new, we are allowing the Holy Spirit to work in and through us. It is very important to understand that He is doing the work, not us. Some may argue that Philippians 2:12 tells us to "work out your salvation." And by itself, it does sound like we're doing the work. But don't leave off there; go on to the very next verse — "it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure."
Picture a father teaching his very young daughter how to dance. The young girl wants to be with and please her father, whom she dearly loves, and he wants to teach her to dance. So what does he do? Does he give her detailed instructions on the proper steps and moves of the dance? No, he tells her to put her right foot on top of his left and her left foot on top of his right. Of course she can allow herself to be distracted and decide that although she loves him, she'd much rather go out and play. But when she does do as he asks, he is doing all the work. Her only part in it was to decide that she wanted to be with and please him. In like manner, God doesn’t give us the power and then tell us to go and do it. Rather, He does it in us and for us as we by faith decide to walk according to the Spirit (Rom 8:3-4; Gal 5:16, 25).
Showing posts with label Rom 7:15-8:4. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rom 7:15-8:4. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Monday, April 25, 2011
Romans 7:15-8:4 - part 5
5. The law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus (Rom 8:2):
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” is simply because we are “in Christ Jesus” and “complete in Him” (Col 2:10). Because our sins have been imputed to Christ and His righteousness imputed to us, we are fully justified before God (Rom 3:21-4:8).
But there’s more to it than that — “The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.” So what is this law?
“The law of the Spirit” is “life in Christ Jesus.” The moment we place our faith in Christ, the Spirit gives eternal life, the life of Christ Jesus Himself. This is an unalterable law. True faith in Christ always produces this result.
So then the one law — “the law of the Spirit of life in Christ” — makes us free from the other — “the law of sin and death.” Does this mean one divine law violates the other? No, but one supersedes the other. It is the law that sin results in death, and therefore because we have sinned, we must die. But, we have died — in Christ! (Rom 6:6). And since death could not keep Him in the grave and He came forth in resurrection life, so have we — in Him.
I have been crucified with Christ; and 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 up for me (Gal 2:20).
(to be continued)
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” is simply because we are “in Christ Jesus” and “complete in Him” (Col 2:10). Because our sins have been imputed to Christ and His righteousness imputed to us, we are fully justified before God (Rom 3:21-4:8).
But there’s more to it than that — “The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.” So what is this law?
“The law of the Spirit” is “life in Christ Jesus.” The moment we place our faith in Christ, the Spirit gives eternal life, the life of Christ Jesus Himself. This is an unalterable law. True faith in Christ always produces this result.
So then the one law — “the law of the Spirit of life in Christ” — makes us free from the other — “the law of sin and death.” Does this mean one divine law violates the other? No, but one supersedes the other. It is the law that sin results in death, and therefore because we have sinned, we must die. But, we have died — in Christ! (Rom 6:6). And since death could not keep Him in the grave and He came forth in resurrection life, so have we — in Him.
I have been crucified with Christ; and 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 up for me (Gal 2:20).
(to be continued)
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Romans 7:15-8:4 - part 4
4. The Law of sin and death (Rom 8:2):
There is another very basic law to consider, a law which we see in operation all around us — "the law of sin and death." Scripture makes it very clear that sin brings death (Ezek 18:4; Rom 5:12; 6:13; James 1:15). This law not only refers to physical death, but also to spiritual death (Rev 20:11-15). Some believers in Christ, who truly long to please God, are understandably upset at the thought of appearing before the Lord at the Great White Throne for their many sins. But praise God such fears are unnecessary because Revelation 20 clearly tells us that only the lost will appear at this final judgment. There's also another law mentioned in Romans 8 that makes this truth even clearer.
(to be continued)
There is another very basic law to consider, a law which we see in operation all around us — "the law of sin and death." Scripture makes it very clear that sin brings death (Ezek 18:4; Rom 5:12; 6:13; James 1:15). This law not only refers to physical death, but also to spiritual death (Rev 20:11-15). Some believers in Christ, who truly long to please God, are understandably upset at the thought of appearing before the Lord at the Great White Throne for their many sins. But praise God such fears are unnecessary because Revelation 20 clearly tells us that only the lost will appear at this final judgment. There's also another law mentioned in Romans 8 that makes this truth even clearer.
(to be continued)
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Romans 7:15-8:4 - part 3
3. The law of the renewed mind (Rom 7:22-23):
Does all this mean it's okay to live in sin and/or not take it too seriously when we stumble and fall? Absolutely not, because another law forbids it. Paul refers to this law as "the law of my mind" and says this law wages war against "the law of sin and death." So what is "the law of the renewed mind"?
Paul's epistles say a lot about the believer's renewal of mind, brought about by the Holy Spirit's work as He applies His Word to our hearts. And Ephesians 4:22-24 makes it very clear that it's not the body or the old nature that's renewed; it's the mind:
That, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.
In Romans 7:15-8:4 Paul says that he has received this "renewing of the mind," declaring that he hates the wrong that he does (7:15), that he longs to do right and does not wish to do wrong (vs 18-19), that he "joyfully concurs with the law of God" (v 22), and with his mind serves the law of God (v 25).
Paul calls this renewing of the mind in a believer a law. It's now "the law of my mind" that desires to do God's will. This law operates in every believer, which begins at the moment of our salvation. More and more we should see sin and righteousness in their true light and "not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Rom 12:2).
(to be continued)
Does all this mean it's okay to live in sin and/or not take it too seriously when we stumble and fall? Absolutely not, because another law forbids it. Paul refers to this law as "the law of my mind" and says this law wages war against "the law of sin and death." So what is "the law of the renewed mind"?
Paul's epistles say a lot about the believer's renewal of mind, brought about by the Holy Spirit's work as He applies His Word to our hearts. And Ephesians 4:22-24 makes it very clear that it's not the body or the old nature that's renewed; it's the mind:
That, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.
In Romans 7:15-8:4 Paul says that he has received this "renewing of the mind," declaring that he hates the wrong that he does (7:15), that he longs to do right and does not wish to do wrong (vs 18-19), that he "joyfully concurs with the law of God" (v 22), and with his mind serves the law of God (v 25).
Paul calls this renewing of the mind in a believer a law. It's now "the law of my mind" that desires to do God's will. This law operates in every believer, which begins at the moment of our salvation. More and more we should see sin and righteousness in their true light and "not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Rom 12:2).
(to be continued)
Monday, April 18, 2011
Romans 7:15-8:4 - part 2
2. The law of indwelling sin (Rom 7:23):
Another law clearly seen in Romans 7 is that of indwelling sin. This refers to our old natures still within us. Paul freely admitted that this law was at work within himself when he says:
For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin...For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not...For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want...I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good...For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man...but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members (Rom 7:14, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23).
Does this mean that Paul was not the true man of God that Scripture presents to us? No, because he doesn't discuss his general manner of life, but his problem — the problem we all have — with sin.
We see this as well in Galatians 5:17:
For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.
Paul's honest confession should humble us because it comes from a man who was undoubtedly more godly than we are. But knowing about the law of indwelling sin should also encourage us. It's almost like God is telling us: "Write this down, cement it in your mind: In you (in your old self) is no good thing — it is totally corrupt. But it has been crucified with Christ."
Therefore, we won't achieve victory over sin through subjective examination of our old nature, much less in attempts to improve it, but only in an objective focus on Christ, in whom we now stand before God, justified from every sin, past, present and future.
(to be continued)
Another law clearly seen in Romans 7 is that of indwelling sin. This refers to our old natures still within us. Paul freely admitted that this law was at work within himself when he says:
For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin...For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not...For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want...I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good...For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man...but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members (Rom 7:14, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23).
Does this mean that Paul was not the true man of God that Scripture presents to us? No, because he doesn't discuss his general manner of life, but his problem — the problem we all have — with sin.
We see this as well in Galatians 5:17:
For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.
Paul's honest confession should humble us because it comes from a man who was undoubtedly more godly than we are. But knowing about the law of indwelling sin should also encourage us. It's almost like God is telling us: "Write this down, cement it in your mind: In you (in your old self) is no good thing — it is totally corrupt. But it has been crucified with Christ."
Therefore, we won't achieve victory over sin through subjective examination of our old nature, much less in attempts to improve it, but only in an objective focus on Christ, in whom we now stand before God, justified from every sin, past, present and future.
(to be continued)
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Romans 7:15-8:4 - part 1
This Scripture has often been a controversial subject. It describes an aspect of the Christian life that we should all understand, for if we don't, discouragement will inevitably follow. But rightly understood, it can contribute to a confident, steady, and joyful Christian experience.
Some theologians hold that Romans 7 describes Paul's experience under the Law and that Romans 8 was his experience under grace, with the former being full of discouragement and the latter, with victory. That's why we often hear the advice: "Get out of Romans 7 and into Romans 8."
But I don't believe this view for two important reasons. First of all, Paul wrote these two chapters at the same writing; there wasn't even a chapter division in the original. The same man who wrote Romans 8:1-2 also wrote the words of 7:22-25 immediately before them. It seems to me that he rejoiced in the truth of Romans 8:1-2 while experiencing Romans 7:22-25. Secondly, sincere and godly believers have admitted that their experience has closely resembled what Paul described in Romans 7:14-25. My questions to those who hold that Romans 7 concerns Paul's experiences while still under the Law are these: Doesn't your old nature constantly try to gain control? Don't you have a problem with the "old man"? Have you consistently overcome sin in your life?
I believe Romans 7 should deeply concern us all because it describes the spiritual experience of the Apostle Paul himself, and, of every sincere believer in the Lord Jesus Christ.
To fully understand Romans 7:15-8:4, we must look at five important laws referred to in this passage. And just to make things clear, a law is basically a fixed rule. This definition fits well the laws of nature, of civil and moral laws, and also of the Law of God.
1. The moral Law of God (Rom 7:22):
This is the Law that God gave through Moses (Ex 21:15-16; Jn 1:17). It represented a covenant which God made specifically with Israel (Ex 19:5-6). The penalty for breaking this covenant was death (2 Cor 3:7).
While the Law was given particularly to Israel, it still concerns the Gentiles as well. Romans 2:14-15 says that the "Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them."
Therefore, while the Gentiles were already condemned by the moral law, written in their hearts by God, God gave this law, written on tablets of stone, to Israel as a basis for a covenant which He would use to show them that they too were sinners. And sure enough, they almost immediately began breaking the Law, so that they, like the Gentiles, were declared guilty before God (Rom 3:19; 5:12, 20). While the covenant of the Law was made with Israel alone, it at the same time accentuates man's sin.
(to be continued)
Some theologians hold that Romans 7 describes Paul's experience under the Law and that Romans 8 was his experience under grace, with the former being full of discouragement and the latter, with victory. That's why we often hear the advice: "Get out of Romans 7 and into Romans 8."
But I don't believe this view for two important reasons. First of all, Paul wrote these two chapters at the same writing; there wasn't even a chapter division in the original. The same man who wrote Romans 8:1-2 also wrote the words of 7:22-25 immediately before them. It seems to me that he rejoiced in the truth of Romans 8:1-2 while experiencing Romans 7:22-25. Secondly, sincere and godly believers have admitted that their experience has closely resembled what Paul described in Romans 7:14-25. My questions to those who hold that Romans 7 concerns Paul's experiences while still under the Law are these: Doesn't your old nature constantly try to gain control? Don't you have a problem with the "old man"? Have you consistently overcome sin in your life?
I believe Romans 7 should deeply concern us all because it describes the spiritual experience of the Apostle Paul himself, and, of every sincere believer in the Lord Jesus Christ.
To fully understand Romans 7:15-8:4, we must look at five important laws referred to in this passage. And just to make things clear, a law is basically a fixed rule. This definition fits well the laws of nature, of civil and moral laws, and also of the Law of God.
1. The moral Law of God (Rom 7:22):
This is the Law that God gave through Moses (Ex 21:15-16; Jn 1:17). It represented a covenant which God made specifically with Israel (Ex 19:5-6). The penalty for breaking this covenant was death (2 Cor 3:7).
While the Law was given particularly to Israel, it still concerns the Gentiles as well. Romans 2:14-15 says that the "Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them."
Therefore, while the Gentiles were already condemned by the moral law, written in their hearts by God, God gave this law, written on tablets of stone, to Israel as a basis for a covenant which He would use to show them that they too were sinners. And sure enough, they almost immediately began breaking the Law, so that they, like the Gentiles, were declared guilty before God (Rom 3:19; 5:12, 20). While the covenant of the Law was made with Israel alone, it at the same time accentuates man's sin.
(to be continued)
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