Introduction:
Tommy Lasorda the former Los Angeles Dodgers manager describes his battle with bad habits: “I took a pack of cigarettes from my pocket, stared at it and said, “Who’s stronger, you or me?” The answer was me. I stopped smoking. Then I took a vodka martini and said to it, “Who’s stronger, you or me?” Again the answer was me. I quit drinking. Then I went on a diet. I looked at a big plate of linguine with clam sauce and said, “Who’s stronger, you or me?” And a little clam looked up at me and answered, “I am.” I can’t beat linguine. Scattered throughout the first six chapters of the book of Romans, Paul highlights the complications that result from the union of the Law and the sinful human nature. Although sin has been talked about quite a bit so far in the book, as we turn to chapter 7 things really begin to get personal for Paul. In a very personal way, Paul sets out for us a picture of the ongoing struggle with sin from his own life. Chapter 7 presents us with the reality of the ongoing struggle as well as some wisdom to help us gain greater freedom from this struggle. Today, we want to discover the valuable principles we can learn from Paul’s own experience.
I. Understanding our personal relationship to the Law.
A. The authority of the law remains over us as long as we live.
1. So far in the book Paul has shown that the purpose of the Law was to point out sin and under the Law sin actually increased.
2. The only way to escape the authority of the Law is to die, the problem is that when we die we face judgment and the penalty for our inability to keep the Law.
3. Paul decides to illustrate this fact by using the marriage relationship. He shows that upon the death of the husband the wife is free to remarry and is no longer under the authority of the first husband.
4. In order for us to be free to have a relationship with God, we must die to the Law.
B. Paul shows that there is a way to die to the Law and escape judgment.
1. In chapter 6 Paul showed that we were united with Jesus in His death, burial and resurrection through baptism.
2. Christ by sacrificing his body and shedding His blood makes it possible for us to die to the Law and be made alive to God.
3. By setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace. (Ephesians 2:15—NIV 2011)
4. Through baptism we actually die to the Law and are resurrected to a new life in Jesus Christ.
5. This change is not something that we have orchestrated through our own power, this is something that God made possible through His power.
II. Bringing the relationship of sin and the Law into proper focus.
A. The Law spells out exactly what God considers to be sin.
1. The Law in no way is sinful. The Law only informs us what sin is, and establishes the penalty for disobedience and the blessings for obedience.
2. The negative effect of the Law is that it stimulates our sinful nature causing an increased desire to rebel.
3. To highlight the idea of desiring Paul focuses on the tenth commandment. We also should note Paul’s tone becomes very personal.
4. Perhaps, Paul chooses this commandment because as a young believer it was something that he struggled with.
5. There is one other possibility, maybe he sees that the other nine commandments are broken through sins that begin with coveting.
B. The Law is not the villain in Paul’s view, sin is the one that seeks to destroy us.
1. Undoubtedly, as Paul mentions the word sin here he is referring to Satan showing that he uses the Law as the point to launch an attack against us.
2. Without the Law sin is powerless, it lays dormant and ineffective. Basically sin for all practical purposes is dead without the Law.
3. Paul illustrates this by showing that before was able to understand the Law as a child he was free from the effects of the Law and the eternal consequences that accompany disobedience.
4. The problem begins to surface as a child begins to understand more and more. This understanding allows sin to literally spring into action.
5. Paul shows that as sin came to life, we were condemned to die because of it.
C. Paul spends some extensive time to show that the Law of God is Holy and right.
1. God is holy, and is incapable of sin so it would be utterly impossible for the Law He authored to be sinful.
2. God’s Law is proof that He only wants that which is good and beneficial for His creation.
3. God’s desire was to lead man toward life and away from death,
4. The Law made it possible for man to know what was best but the sinful nature exploited the Law and incited man to rebel.
III. Understanding the conflict in our lives caused by the Law.
A. Paul uses himself as an example of the human condition.
1. The Law is spiritual and we human beings are unspiritual and another way to translate this word in the Greek is fleshly.
2. He wants to serve the Lord and obey him with all his heart but the harder he tires the more he falls flat on his face.
3. Paul could very well be painting the picture of a believer who is trying but is relying on his own strength.
4. One can almost hear the sorrow in Paul’s words as he confesses all the struggles and failures in his life.
B. The struggle between the spirit and sinful nature is a reality in the life of every Christian.
1. The failures in our pursuit of Godliness is not the Laws fault it is a direct result of the sinful nature that still exists in our lives.
2. Paul shows that by wanting to obey the Law and not succeeding is proof positive that the Law is good.
3. Sin still wins the battle from time to time because we have not yet been fully redeemed.
4. David highlighted these struggles that he faced on a daily basis in His own life.
5. 12 But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults. 13 Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression. (Psalm 19:12-13—NIV 2011)
C. There are two natures at work in our lives which results in a constant tension.
1. One nature desires to be obedient to God’s Law while the other nature desires to rebel against the Law.
2. Although we have been saved from sin, we still live in a sinful world and still have a sinful nature trying to gain control of our lives.
3. The reality is if we try to live up to God’s standards by our strength it will always end in failure and frustration.
4. Paul’s description is loaded with military terms showing the sinful nature will not relinquish control without a fight.
5. In frustration Paul states what we have all felt from time to time, “What a wretched man am I!”
IV. Timely reminders to help us in our struggle.
A. Don’t be afraid to admit that you don’t have a full grasp of the situation.
1. One of the most difficult things we face as Christians is wanting to do the right thing but when we try we inevitably fail.
2. Paul admitted this was something he did not understand, so like him we should not be afraid to admit this fact.
3. Too many times we live as though we are perfect and do not have any struggles, this sends the wrong message to the rest of the world.
4. We need the support of fellow believers when we face these difficult struggles.
B. Admit that you are not perfect, in fact full of imperfections.
1. We need to accept the fact that although we have been saved by the blood of the Lamb we still sin on a daily basis.
2. However, this does not mean to resign yourself to the idea that you will never overcome sin, so it is worthless to try. This should be a motivator for us to continue to fight the battle.
3. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength. 14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. (Philippians 4:11-14—NIV 2011)
4. We can win victories in our struggles through the power of God that dwells within us through His Holy Spirit.
C. Realize that you will fail, we will never always get it right.
1. We all could probably admit that it is easier to deal with winning than it is to deal with losing.
2. Too many Christians get frustrated when they fail because they feel that they should be farther along in the growth process. We must remember that we will face failure.
3. God did not send His Son to die for those who were perfect, He came to die for those who continually faced defeat.
4. As long as we live in this world we will never be perfect but we must learn from our mistakes and continue to move forward.
D. Admit the reality of your struggle.
1. Paul admitted that he constantly had a struggle with sin and we should not be afraid to either.
2. We will find peace and comfort when we unload our hearts to the Lord.
3. We should also not be afraid to share our struggles with others to help encourage them in the struggles that they face.
4. 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (Matthew 11:28-29—NIV 2011)
Closing:
In his book Forever Triumphant, F.J. Huegel told a story that came out of World War II. After General Jonathan Wainwright was captured by the Japanese, he was held prisoner in a Manchurian concentration camp. Cruelly treated, he became “a broken, crushed, hopeless, starving man.” Finally the Japanese surrendered and the war ended. A United States army colonel was sent to the camp to announce personally to the general that Japan had been defeated and that he was free and in command. After Wainwright heard the news, he returned to his quarters and was confronted by some guards who began to mistreat him as they had done in the past. Wainwright, however, with the news of the allied victory still fresh in his mind, declared with authority, “No, I am in command here! These are my orders.” Huegel observed that from that moment on, General Wainwright was in control.
Huegel made this application: “Have you been informed of the victory of your Savior in the greatest conflict of the ages? Then rise up to assert your rights. Never again go under when the enemy comes to oppress. Claim the victory in Jesus’ Name.” Huegel observed, “We must learn to stand on resurrection ground, reckoning dead the old-creation life over which Satan has power, and living in the new creation over which Satan has no power whatever.”
