Series: Romans the Battle over the Law 04/16/23
- Author
- Nick Sandefur
- Published
- Tue 18 Apr 2023
- Episode Link
- None
Series: Romans
the Battle over the Law
Romans 7:1-25
When we receive God’s gift of grace, it changes us. This process is called sanctification.
Believers debate whether Chapter 7 deals with the Christian’s life pre-faith or the Christian’s life post-faith. Paul talks of his pre-Christ life in verses 1-13 and his life as a believer in verses 14-25.
Romans 7
the bad news
The law is not bad, but it does not have the capacity to make you good.
Coveting exposes the internal problem of the heart.
Paul uses flesh to describe the sinful cravings which are opposed to God. It is often referred to as our sinful nature.
Believers have two natures: One godly, another sinful.
The two natures are constantly at war inside of the believer.
the good news
What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with my mind I myself am serving the law of God, but with my flesh, the law of sin.
Romans 7:24-25
You can live in a way that pleases God.
Even though you may have ongoing battles, the war has been already been decided.
God uses your ongoing struggles to grow your appreciation of grace.
Appreciating grace is what wins ongoing battles.
The irony of the Christian life is that the only ones who live holy are those who understand that their acceptance by God is not conditioned on their holy living.
