February 14, 2024
Romans 7
A continuation from Romans 6, which we considered “positional sanctification” in Christ. As we seek confirmation by how we live that our sanctification in Christ is ever moving in the direction of “holiness” we find ourselves, perhaps trying to please God by following/obeying the law only. From time to time I can remember saying to God, “God if you do this for me, I will do this for you.” Sort of elementary in my understanding of my salvation and the blessings of God. Have you made a comment like this before? You see, in our study we have learned that the law cannot bring sanctification to those of us who are saved and surely will condemn those who are not saved because the intent of the law was to bring sin to our knowledge and “multiply the trespass” against God, Romans 5:20. The law was also necessary to protect us from unwanted consequences too, but it mainly exposed our sinful nature and wicked desires. Now we discuss the struggles of a Christian. Salvation is by grace, which is a gift of God, Romans 6:23, through Jesus’ atoning work on the cross. We have learned that we have come from our old slave master, sin, and serve a new Master, Jesus by faith which is His righteousness given to us, but that sin still dwells in us because of our old nature, the flesh. My challenge to you last week was to rebel against the old nature and obey the new nature. How did you do? If not well then let’s consider feeding the new person in Christ.
The new man needs to be fed. Jesus said, “I have meat to eat that ye know not of.” John 4:30. This meat is doing what He sees the Father doing, which is written now for our benefit, John 5:19. In Deuteronomy 8:3 God said “that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord” and Jesus confirms this in Matthew 4:4 the same thing as He is being confronted by the devil in the desert. God, the Father, spoke to the prophets in various ways but in these last days He has spoken through His Son, Jesus,” Hebrews 1:1-2. Jesus is referring to His Word, the Scriptures as the meat the disciples knew not of because they were still learning. The old man, fleshly desires, need to be starved. In feeding the new man, daily scripture reading is important, prayer is important. The things of God should be on our minds, Philippians 4:8. In times of great passion for the Lord, seek Him with all your heart, soul, mind and body. In times of despair, make a conscience decision not to fall into temptation but seek the Lord even more because you are no longer a slave to sin, and you do not have to obey sins desires. Temptation will call you but be strong and seek God. The voice of temptation will grow faint. The battle we face, the impulses of sin, will continue until we are called into heaven. For we live on the battle grounds where the devil, the adversary, lost your soul but wants your wife’s or your children or others and he would have you fail at every moment of your life to keep you(us) from proclaiming the gospel with any creditability. Does the flesh seek creditability? You see, even doing what God commands can “puff” us up, 1 Corinthians 8:1. So do this with love, humility, and offer up mercies and grace as God has given you.
In the flesh we will fail and have failed and will continue to fall, now, as one called to Christ through His death, we consider our flesh as dead and therefore are not bound to the law “which brings forth fruit unto death.” Verse 5. Because we have not been called home the flesh still has life but will die and will sin, our soul, the real “us” has been reborn! This explains Jesus’ statement in John 3:3, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
The word of God will expose us for who we really are. Like a mirror showing you the spec of dirt on your face, the word of God will show you the dirtiness of your sin. Be refined as the silversmith refines silver to see his reflection, you also be refined that others can see the peace, joy, love for others that Jesus has and be alive through the death and resurrection of Jesus.
To further confirm a battle is being raged, Paul writes, “For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that I do not; but what I hate, that do I.” verse 15. The new man agrees that the law has made you recognize sin, and that sin now offends you as it offends God. The new man agrees the law is good for this reason. The law still leads to death as our flesh will one day prove. Verse 18 will confirm to us that no good things dwell in us. So, what we do in the flesh is of no value or use to God. To add to that, our sin continues in the flesh, but our new man will not, “Whosoever is born of God does not commit sin” 1 John 3:9.
Let us be thankful as Paul is in verse 25, “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord” for our deliverance from the slave master of sin and the condemnation of death through the law to eternal life by the death and resurrection of our Savior Jesus the Christ.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, most High and Majestic GOD, Thank you for our Deliverer, our Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you, Holy Spirit, for the inspiration given to Paul to write these words for our growth today. Help us Father to apply what we learn for mental stability in our walk with you. Help us to teach these things to those we encounter daily. Help us to be clear with our thoughts so You are honored and proclaimed and the simple will come grace offered to them. We love you dearly Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus and Holy Spirit.
-David Mroz
