Explore the Bible: October 11
Struggle • Romans 7:4-6, 14-25
By Laura Lee Leathers
While on military duty in Germany, my husband and I decided to take a weekend camping trip to Salzburg, Austria. We found the campground, set up our tent, and walked into town for supper.
Leaving through the gate, we noted when the entrance would be locked. However, as we took in the sights and sounds of this historical city, we lost track of time. Desperately, with the city street map in our hands, we struggled to get our bearings to return to the campground.
We were lost with no hope of getting back before the gate was locked. I don’t remember how or why, but a kind man pulled up alongside us, and through broken English and German, we explained that we were lost and locked out of the camp. Graciously, he offered us a ride; trustingly, we hopped into the backseat of his car. By God’s grace and provision, we were rescued.
Believers know their greatest rescue came when Jesus sacrificed Himself for their sin.
Freed (Rom. 7:4-6)
From the previous chapter, the Apostle Paul continues to address the question, “Did grace give license to sin?” No—the answer didn’t change. He continues with two illustrations (6:16-23; 7:1-6) to show the power of grace to battle sin.
Wanting to explain the believer’s relationship to the Law, chapter seven begins with an analogy of a woman whose husband has passed away. Under the law, death dissolved the covenant relationship and set her free.
Warren Wiersbe* writes, “The Law did not die; we died . . . God’s Law still rules over men. We died to the Law, and it no longer has dominion over us. But we are not “lawless”; we are united to Christ, sharing His life, and thus walking “in newness of life.” . . . It simply means that the motivation and dynamic of our lives does not come from the Law; it comes from God’s grace through our union with Christ” (Wiersbe, pg. 75).
Furthermore, we have died to the law so that “we may bear fruit for God” (v.5). Next, “we have been released (or delivered)” (v. 6). So that now “we may serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the old letter of the Law.”
In verses seven through thirteen, Paul discusses sin’s use of the law. We would not know sin if it weren’t for the law. Notice that the tenth commandment is used. Why? Through covetousness, the other nine commandments are broken.
Conflicted (Rom. 7:14-23)
The pupil book mentions that “Bible teachers disagree on whether Paul was describing his experience before or after conversion.” Take a moment and go back to Romans 6:12. Prior to this verse, Paul has been discussing justification. Afterward, he moves to the sanctification of the believer. This is the basis for looking at this as post-conversion.
Here is a simple way to explain the two words: Justification is an instant pardon given to an individual by God’s grace. Sanctification is a day-by-day, progressive purification that will continue until the day of glorification.
Paul honestly shares the struggle or the war with sin that rages deep within our souls. As believers, our desire to be obedient and serve Him should demonstrate growth. Living a life of righteousness should be evident as we mature in Christ. At the same time, we should have a greater awareness and a desire not to sin. Yet, the old flesh continues to cling like old grave clothes, and thus we have the conflict.
Wiersbe points out, “The Law cannot change you (v.14). The Law cannot enable you to do good (vs. 15-21), and the Law cannot set you free (vs. 21-24).” Only through the redemptive work of Jesus can an individual be changed, enabled to do good, bear fruit for God’s Kingdom purposes, and set free from sin.
Hope (Rom. 7:24-25)
In the final two verses, out of frustration or exhaustion from the battle, Paul declares, “What a wretched man I am!” and then asks, “Who can rescue me?”
The answer is clear: only Jesus Christ our Lord! As we journey through this life, believers will always wrestle with the problem of sin within them. But we have this assurance: we do not battle sin in our own power; we do so only through Christ. He provides the victory.
*Be Right, How to Be Right with God, Yourself, and Others, by Warren W. Wiersbe (1977)
Leathers is a member of First Baptist Church, Lexington.