Romans 7:1-4 – I hadn’t caught this reference to being freed, in this case from the law, through death. It’s inspiring to me to think of what a transformation this is. This participation in Christ’s death changes everything, do we really understand that? I mean, we understand it when someone does physically, right? We know that it’s all different for them now. We get that they’ve crossed over to a new dimension, where everything is changed. The rules are changed, their body is changed, everything. But do we as Christians, we who have died with Jesus, do we really understand the change that God has worked in us? Isn’t that the point Paul is making here to the Romans? They didn’t et it either. What kind of people would we be if we truly understood the radical, awe inspiring transformation that occurs in us when we contact Christ’s blood and participate in His death & resurrection in baptism? We could not blend in. We could not be the same. We should not.
Romans 7:9 – Is Paul here making a comment on his passage from the innocence of childhood to becoming accountable? That seems like a possibility, but I don’t know. Maybe I’m just projecting my own ideas on the verse. I’d love some other thoughts on this.
Romans 7:13-25 – This passage makes my head spin. Paul, you lost me in there somewhere. 😛
I think that what the Spirit is trying to convey is the rich dichotomy that exist between the flesh (our material and earthly natures) and the Holiness available through Christ Jesus. This amazing existance we have in the world is a singularity amoung all of creation. We live both in the Spiritual and Physical world. The law defines our physical existance, and Christ Jesus infused through conversion and the indwelling of the SPirt throught the WOrd of God are at odds with each other. This creates (to quote Paul) a war within us. By our own choice, sin as defined by the law, but by desire fulfill through Jesus and so forth and the choice of the Spirit inside us, righteousness! I think of it as the old cartoon of have an angel on one shoulder, and the devil on the other both trying to influence you. The flesh acts,but the SPirit through the cross triumphs. I know I pretty much just restated what Brother Paul was inspired to write, but I hope it helps.
I think the part that I can relate to is the battle. Before I became a Christian I ended up doing things that I never thought I’d do. Once I became a Christian Christ, through the cross, gave me the power to overcome my sinful nature with righteous desires though the temptation was always there.
The thing I don’t know if I can relate to is Pauls personal struggle with Jewsish law. Being an ardent Jew and having been brought up with constant drumming of it I am sure it was a struggle for him to think in a new way. To say the law isn’t the way to go, only through Christ can I escape this body of death. I’ve been there done that, it doesn’t work. So..why do I want to fall back to it….to my comfort zone. Please free me from that. Help me understand the freedom in Christ.
Studying Romans and Galatians has been such a blessing for me. Here’s what I have learned. Paul starts out in Romans saying I don’t care if you are Jew or Gentile, the bottom line is we are all headed for Hell (3:21). There are 2 ways to be justified. One, by obedience to the Law, or two, by acceptance of the Grace of God through the cross.
He writes as though many have opted for the first way, Obedience to the Law. The problem is, no one can keep it. Matter of fact the Law not only makes us aware of sin (3:20), it even increases sin in our lives (5:20). It exposes our real sinful nature. Put out a sign saying “Wet Paint. Do Not Touch” and watch what people do. I know my sinful nature wants to push the limits and even cross the line if I can “get by with it”. But when I try to justify myself by obedience to the Law, I find myself sinning all the more. I think that was Paul’s feelings also in 7:7-8.
When people start living by the Law they have a tendency to focus on the parts that they do well and justify themselves by that, (Rich Young Ruler). Everything Paul had done prior to becoming a Christian he did with a good conscience. Up to that point, he must not have focused on “Do Not Covet” because when he saw that, he found himself coveting all over the place (7:8). So I think the “alive” in 7:9 could be from childhood to accountability but I think it is more Pauls feelings prior to seeing the Law for what it was. I don’t think he is equating “alive” with “saved” necessarily but rather that he felt that he was alive and as a result didn’t need a Savior, Jesus.
The Law that Paul is referring to is obviously the Law of Moses but I think it applies to any Law that we might impose. How many people only feel justified when their 1) church attendance is good, 2)Quiet times are consistant, 3)Giving is sacrificial, and 4)their evangelism is fruitful. I’m not, nor can I ever be, saved by that Law either. I want to do these things but I don’t always do them. If I try to justify myself by them I end up feeling just Paul in 7:14-23. The things I want to do, I don’t, and the things I don’t want to do, I do.
The Law then should bring us to 2 conclusions: 1)I’m a wretched man 7:24 and 2) Only Jesus Christ can rescue me 7:25. Too many people stop at the first conclusion and live in guilt (and sometimes we help them feel that way) but they never get to the second, Jesus. Galatians 3:24 says the Law was “put in charge to lead us to Christ”. The Law can’t justify us but it can lead us to the One who can Justify us. Justification is something we Receive not Achieve and it comes by Atonement and not Attainment.
Sorry for the length, but I am very passionate about this. Living by Law is frustrating. Living by Faith is “Freeing” (Romans 7:1-4).
Well said.
BEG: Your “freedom” in Christ that you are looking for can only exist – if it were such a thing – in obedience to Christ. We are free from condemnation. I suspect that maybe what you are feeling is self induced? Perhaps you lookk for perfection in your actions, when it can only be acheived by what Christ has done, not you, but Christ. It’s not about you, or your freedom, it’s about Christ crucified. Through Christ you are free to do what God wills, without damnation when your own personal failures come. Be slow to condemn yourself, or frustrate yourself, that is exactly what Satan wants out of your life. We are reminded in Isaiah 53 that it is on Christ that our iniquities (sp?) have been taken. You are free from sin, not sinning.
Yup, just trying to put myself in Pauls’ shoes and see what he might be thinking. Probably construed by my feelings a tad too.
I get the gist of the struggle that Paul refereed to, it’s just that through all the ‘do’s and ‘want to’s and ‘do not do’s, I get confused and think I’m missing something. 🙂
Bryant – Great thoughts, thanks for adding that. I think your interpretation of Romans 7:9 is more in line with the text than mine.
BEG – Sorry you got moderated. My spam filter didn’t like it when you said “shoes”. Why? I don’t know, but I removed “shoes” from the moderation list so you can feel free to discuss footware without fear of moderation.
BTW – You guys can go to TypeKey and get an account add use it to log in here and never get moderated again. Even if you say something worse than “shoes”.
Beg said, “Justification is something we Receive not Achieve and it comes by Atonement and not Attainment. ” I so agree with this. Thank you.
I knew a Patrick Bacon in Wisconsin back in the day. Would that be you?
Hey,
I enjoyed your blog. Thanks for being honest and open about everything. Jesus is so cool! I love reading about people who know really know him.
I am a musician and I would be honored if you would check out my music. All my music is free for download. Anyway, I don’t mean to be a pest, just thought I’d share.
Thanks,
-Sean
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http://www.SeanDietrich.com
“All my muisc is free.”