The Struggle is Real

Romans 7:14 CSB

For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold as a slave under sin.

INTRO—

A few weeks ago we talked about the real struggle of living by faith and not fear…in peace and not pessimism…trusting and not doubting in the early days of the viral pandemic. We also have once again been reminded that we live in the midst of a cultural pandemic of racism and ethnic tensions. Today, however, we take that same focus—a real struggle—and apply it to our living the life of a Christ follower, specifically the struggle we have regarding our sin and righteousness.

I think this focus is fitting for Paul who has just walked through the importance of sin, righteousness, law, and grace in a Christian’s life…and this emphasis is timely for us, lest we forget our daily personal responsibility to live the life to which our Lord has called us.

THIS REAL STRUGGLE [Romans 7.14-20]

Revealed through two personal laments.

FIRST LAMENT (7.14-17) = “…but I am of the flesh...”

Galatians 5:16–17 CSB

I say, then, walk by the Spirit and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want.

SECOND LAMENT (7.18-20) = “…I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh...”

Galatians 6:7–8 CSB

Don’t be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a person sows he will also reap, because the one who sows to his flesh will reap destruction from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit.

James 1:14–15 CSB

But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desire. Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death.

THE STRUGGLER’S DISCOVERY (7.21-25)

Revealed through two permanent maxims (law, principle).

FIRST MAXIM (7.21-23) = “…When I want to do what is good, evil is present with me...”

James 4:1 CSB

What is the source of wars and fights among you? Don’t they come from your passions that wage war within you?

1 Peter 2:11 CSB

Dear friends, I urge you as strangers and exiles to abstain from sinful desires that wage war against the soul.

SECOND MAXIM (7.24-25) = “…Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!...”

1 Timothy 1:15 CSB

This saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them.

John 1:29 CSB

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

John Newton…A preacher, hymn writer…who had once been the captain of a slavev-trading ship— “When I was young, I was sure of many things; now there are only two things of which I am sure: one is, that I am a miserable sinner; and the other, that Christ is an all-sufficient Saviour. He is well-taught who learns these two lessons.”

1 Corinthians 15:56–57 CSB

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!

Romans 7:25 CSB

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.