STRUGGLE
Romans 7:4–6, 14–25
Paul continues to address the nature of the law in chapter 7. Among Paul’s readers, there were those who believed that since we are saved by grace, we are free to live as we please, which is license.
There were also many of the Jewish believers who believed in salvation by grace but still believed that they were obligated to live under the law, which is legalism.
Freed (4–6)
Paul begins chapter 7 by stating that his readers know the law. He then gives an illustration of how the law concerning marriage only lasts as long as the husband is living. Upon her husband’s death, a woman is freed from that law. Likewise, we have died to the law in Jesus Christ and are now free to live according to the Spirit. However, Paul wants to state clearly that the law was good because it revealed our sin.
In Galatians 3:24, Paul describes the law as a schoolmaster to show us our sin and bring us to Christ. In Romans 7:7 he says, “I would not have known sin if it were not for the law.” He concludes that the law is holy, righteous and good. The problem is that no one apart from Jesus can keep the law perfectly, and if we sin at one point, we are guilty of all of the law.
What does it mean to you to be dead to sin?
Conflicted (14–23)
Paul goes on in verses 14–23 to describe the battle between the old nature and the new nature. He shares with us his struggle, which is our struggle also. The things he doesn’t want to do, he finds himself doing. The things he wants to do and knows are right to do, he isn’t doing. As long as we live in this fallen world, it’s as if the old nature is a zombie that keeps coming back from death to war with our new nature.
I am reminded of the illustration shared by Billy Graham in his 1978 book titled “The Holy Spirit: Activating God’s Power in Your Life.” A fisherman who came to town every week with his two dogs would have them fight each other.
The fisherman always knew which one would win, and he would win money when the townspeople would place bets on them. His friends wondered how he did it. “He said, ‘I starve one and feed the other. The one I feed always wins because he is stronger.’”
In the same way, “If we feed our spiritual lives by the Word of God and allow the Holy Spirit to empower us, He will have rule over us. If we starve our spiritual natures and instead feed the old, sinful nature, the flesh will dominate.”
Which “dog” are you feeding?
Hope (24–25)
In this section, you can sense Paul’s frustration, disgust and disappointment in his own performance. He feels like he loses many of his battles with the flesh. He cries out, “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?”
However, by the Spirit, he answers his own rhetorical question with thanksgiving as he states, “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!”
There is no victory apart from Jesus. We are all sinners, saved by grace. So if you’re reading this and you’re struggling, don’t beat yourself up! Move to Romans 8:1 and remember that “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus!”
EDITOR’S NOTE — The Sunday School lesson outlines are provided by Lifeway.
By Don Fugate
Senior pastor of Foxworthy Baptist Church in San Jose, California
