A Study of Romans (30)

The Book of Romans 2. A Carnality Abhorred (Romans 7:17–20)

Paul has acknowledged the sinfulness of his carnal (fleshly) nature, and the conflict caused thereby which in turn testifies to the goodness and spirituality of the law of God. Now he treats more closely that carnality, showing specifically the real root of the difficulty and the distinction between that “flesh” and the real self.

Difficulty

Why is life so hard - why do I have so many struggles - why do I always feel sick - why do I always, and fill in the blank with a number of frustrations;

Could there be something within ourselves that is the root cause of the conflict between spiritual and carnal;

Could it be that we have “split personality” in the non-clinical since meaning I want could but bad feels so good;

In v. 17 Paul says, “It is no more I that do it.”, but what does he mean;

The Book of Romans The Reason for the Difficulty (Verses 17, 18a)

Paul simply means that when evil results are accomplished against his good intentions, it becomes clear that the real Paul is not responsible.

Sadly sin is not totally evicted when we accept Christ, it can be stored away, hopefully/prayerfully, for along time yet it can rise up again from time to time;

Inside each of us there is still depravity and an unredeemed nature that battles against our redeemed spirituality;

Let’s look at Galatians 5:17;

In order to make this difficulty somewhat easier we must recognize it and work to build up for this battle.

Distinction

The Book of Romans The Reality of a Distinction (Verses 18b–20)

Paul proceeds to show now that there is a very real distinction to be made between the real Paul and his desires and intentions, and the fleshly nature that offers antagonism to those inner intentions (and indeed sometimes defeats them).

Who here really wants to do something good;

Who here really gets frustrated when you do something opposite of their intentions;

There is a conflict, or difference, between a desire to do go and what we may actual end up doing;

The Book of Romans The Reality of a Distinction (Verses 18b–20)

Thus Paul has said twice that the real Paul is not responsible, and twice that the sin that dwells in him (that is, in his flesh, verse 18) is responsible. This distinction Paul makes is one of the strongest reasons for taking this passage to describe a Christian’s conflict.

This is a real struggle that we face as followers of Christ, the raging battle between spirit and flesh;

The Book of Romans The Reality of a Distinction (Verses 18b–20)

A sinner has no such excuse. But who of us has not experienced that helpless feeling that often results when we have seen our own good intentions frustrated by a failure and inability to produce the kind of results really desired. At such a time the believer’s soul cries out: “That is not the real me!”