Sermon 25 of the series: “Romans: Gospel Blueprint.”
Paul answered the question, “Is the law sin?” with an emphatic “By no means!” He again stated the purpose of the law: to reveal sin. The apostle used covetousness as an example. He would not have known what it is if it were not for the law (7:7). Sin was the real culprit. Sin seized an opportunity through the commandment and produced in him all kinds of covetousness (7:8). Apart from the law, sin lies dead; but when the commandment came, sin came alive, and he died (7:9). The very commandment that promised life proved to be death to him, because sin deceived him and, through the commandment, killed him (7:10-11). Paul clarified that the law is holy, righteous, and good (7:12). Did this good thing bring him death? He answered NO. He identified sin as the bringer of death. Through the law, sin was exposed clearly (7:13). The law then is vindicated, but it leads to another dilemma. If the law is good and sin is the problem, why does the struggle with sin continue? Paul would then address this issue.
The Law is Spiritual
Paul stated the obvious: the law is spiritual, yet he is of the flesh.[1] He shows the conflict within a believer, struggling between the desire to obey God and sinful tendencies. The apostle paints a picture of how the flesh responds to the law because of sin.
Romans 7:14-17: For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. 15 For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. 17 So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.
His hatred of sin shows that he agrees with God’s law and recognizes it as good. Sin still dwells within him, but it no longer represents his new identity in Christ. Paul is not denying responsibility for his sins but acknowledges its influence in the believer’s life.
Nothing Good in the Sinful Nature
Paul acknowledges that nothing good dwells in his flesh, even though he sincerely desires to do what is right. He wants to obey God but cannot, not in his own strength. Instead of doing the good that he wants, he continues to struggle with the sin he hates.
Romans 7:18-20: For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.
Paul is not saying that believers have no good in them, because the Holy Spirit dwells within them. Rather, our fallen nature cannot produce true obedience through willpower, discipline, or sincerity alone.[2] We must stop relying on our own strength and depend on the Holy Spirit to live a life pleasing to God.
War Within
Paul describes the ongoing battle between his desire to obey God’s law and the sinful nature that opposes him. Although he delights in God’s law, he recognizes the pull of sin. Frustrated with this struggle, he cries out for someone to deliver him from this sinful condition.
Romans 7:21-25: So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. 22 For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, 23 but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.
Paul, knowing that he cannot save himself, turns to Christ Jesus to deliver him from the pull of sin. Even though the struggle against sin continues, believers are no longer condemned in Christ and can look forward to their final victory.[3]
Application
1. Do not lower God’s standard or excuse your sins, but acknowledge your failures and your need for His grace. Let your hatred of sin encourage you, knowing that your desire to obey God is evidence of the Spirit’s work in your heart and your new identity in Christ.
2. Stop relying on your own strength and be honest with God and trusted believers about your weaknesses and failures. Do not despair or become complacent, but depend on the Holy Spirit through God’s Word, prayer, the Lord’s Supper, and the fellowship of the church.
3. Expect the ongoing struggle with sin, and when you fall, turn to Christ rather than doubt your salvation or hide from Him. Live with hope, knowing that your salvation rests on Christ’s finished work, the Holy Spirit is transforming you, and one day your struggle with sin will end.
[1] Frank S. Thielman, Romans, ed. Clinton E. Arnold, Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Zondervan Academic, 2018), 7:16.
[2] Richard N. Longenecker, The Epistle to the Romans (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2016), 664.
[3] F. F. Bruce, Romans (IVP, 2015), 7:14-25.
Poem
WRETCHED MAN by Ed Pilapil Jr God’s law is spiritual, that’s right A holy and shining light But I am flesh, and I am sold Enslaved to sin, that’s from the old I do not want the things I do I fail the good I would pursue The thing I hate, that I have done Sinful flesh, nothing good, there’s none O, wretched man! What can I do? Who will deliver, make me new O, who can save this wretched man? Praise the Father, He has a plan In Christ, there’s no condemnation The Spirit’s regeneration Of this wretched man, through His grace Now we can look upon God’s face
Study Guide
1. Explain the dynamics at play with the law, the flesh, and sin (Ro 7:14-17).
2. Explain what Paul meant by “nothing good dwells in me.” (Ro 7:18-20).
3. Why did Paul call himself wretched, and why did he ask who would rescue him? (Ro 7:21-25)
