2023 0521 Romans 7 Good vs Evil

Struggle between Good and Evil

Romans 7:14–21 NIV

We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me.

Serve in the New Way

Romans 7:6 But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.

Law is Good

Romans 7:12 So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good.

I am Unspiritual

Romans 7:14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin.

default state of a human being

I am unspiritual

I am a slave to sin

the law cannot

We Need Understanding

Romans 7:15 NIV

I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.

the human condition

we want to do good

we like to think of ourselves as essentially good

every man, every woman has got it wrong

if we are not saved , we do not have eternal life

we are sold to sin

we have death as our reward

Our Situation Reveals God’s Provision

Romans 7:16 NIV

And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good.

* previous weeks showed the law was good and righteous

the law came form God himself so no argument there

the final nail in the coffin of the law

the law only identifies sin in us

it is completely unable to save

Default of Sin

Romans 7:17 NIV

As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me.

this is not an excuse

it is not ignoring the personal responsibility

it is an acknowledgement of the power of sin

there is conflict between the spiritual redeemed man and the sinful nature

Powerless

Romans 7:18 NIV

For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.

recognize that sinful nature

humanistic thought is that mankind is essentially good

this is not the position of God

man has been thoroughly corrupted

Jesus is the only answer to restore us to the perfected nature man was created in

Keep on Doing Evil

Romans 7:19 NIV

For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.

Paul is on this loop of thinking

it is the point of frustration

he wants to do good but doesn’t

he actually keeps doing evil

even when he knows Jesus

we are in the same predicament

we are fully redeemed, regenerated

we are new in Christ

yet we still do evil

The Persistence of Sin

Romans 7:20 NIV

Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

a final statement of the power of sin

it is at work in the unredeemed and the redeemed

Paul will go on to say there is no condemnation for those in Jesus

for now, for the purpose of his argument

sin is still at work in man

the sinful nature is ever present