The Intense Struggles of True Believers Romans 7:14-25 & 8:1

Romans: Entire Gospel in One Book First three chapters on sin condition of man First three chapters on sin condition of man 3:10 “there are none righteous” 3:10 “there are none righteous” 3:11 “there is none who seeks after God” 3:11 “there is none who seeks after God” 3:12 “there is none who does good, not even one” 3:12 “there is none who does good, not even one” 3:23 “all have sinned and fallen short of glory of God” 3:23 “all have sinned and fallen short of glory of God”

Chapter 4 is about justification being by faith Chapter 4 is about justification being by faith Chapter 5 is about the results of justification (5:1) Chapter 5 is about the results of justification (5:1) Chapter 6 is about how sin affects believers (6:11-16) Chapter 6 is about how sin affects believers (6:11-16) Chapter 7 is about how we are free from the penalty of the law (7:4, 6) Chapter 7 is about how we are free from the penalty of the law (7:4, 6)

Chapter 7 “The Great Lament” 1. Depicting an immature Christian? 2. Depicting a “carnal” Christian? 3. Depicting a mature Christian? 4. Depicting Paul himself?

The Conflict of the New Nature and the Old Flesh Vs. 14a “The law is spiritual” Vs. 14a “The law is spiritual” Vs. 14b “I am of flesh” Vs. 14b “I am of flesh” Vs. 15 Who is the “I” Paul is speaking of? Vs. 15 Who is the “I” Paul is speaking of?

Who Am I? I am a Saint (Eph.1:1) I am righteous and holy (Eph. 4:24) Christ lives in me (Col. 1:27) I am in Christ (1 Cor. 1:30) I am a citizen of heaven (Phil.3:20) I have been blessed with every spiritual blessing Eph.1:3 I was predestined by God to be adopted as God’s son (Eph.1:5) I am seated with Christ in the heavenly places (Eph. 2:6) I am a partaker of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4) I am the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19-20) I have been forgiven of all of my sins (Col.1:14) I have been given the mind of Christ ( 1 Corinthians 2:16)

I have direct access to God through the Holy Spirit (Eph.2:18) I am a member of Christ’s body (1 Cor.12:27) I am complete in Christ (Col.2:10) I am an ambassador for Christ (Gal. 5:20) I am free forever from condemnation (Romans 8:1-2) I am hidden with Christ in God (Col.3:3) I am the salt of the earth (Matt. 5:13) I am the light of the world (Matt. 5:14) I have been chosen by God to bear fruit (John 15:16) I have been reconciled with God (2 Cor. 5:18) I am an enemy of the devil (1 Peter 5:8) I am a minister of reconciliation for God (2 Cor. 5:19) I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13)

I am a joint heir with Christ, sharing His inheritance with Him (Romans 8:17) I am a fellow citizen with the saints, a resident of God’s household (Eph. 2:19) I have obtained an inheritance which is imperishable (1 Peter 1:4) I will never be separated from the love of God (Romans 8:38-39)

I will reign with Christ forever and ever (Rev. 22:5) I am a slave of righteousness (Romans 6:18) I am God’s workmanship, His handiwork (Eph. 2:10) I am chosen of God, holy and dearly loved (Col. 3:12, 1Thes.1:4) I am a member of a chosen race, a royal priesthood, (1 Peter 2:9-10) I am an alien and stranger to this world in which I temporarily live (1 Pet.2:11) I am born of God and the evil one, the devil cannot touch me (1John 5:18)

Vs. 17 Paul teaches us that the true “I” cannot sin Vs. 17 Paul teaches us that the true “I” cannot sin How can sin indwell a believer who is perfect? How can sin indwell a believer who is perfect? No longer is the real “I” sinning but the old “I” No longer is the real “I” sinning but the old “I” Romans 6:6-7 “our old self was crucified with Him…… Romans 6:6-7 “our old self was crucified with Him……

The Marks of a Maturing Christian Vs Paul saw Christ on Damascus Road (Acts 9) Paul saw Christ on Damascus Road (Acts 9) Paul caught up to heaven (2 Cor. 12) Paul caught up to heaven (2 Cor. 12) Paul wrote most of NT epistles Paul wrote most of NT epistles Paul uses “I” and “My” over 20 times Paul uses “I” and “My” over 20 times

History of Sin and Man Posse Peccare non posse peccare: “able to sin, not able to sin” (Adam at creation) Posse Peccare non posse peccare: “able to sin, not able to sin” (Adam at creation) Non posse non peccare “not able not to sin” (Adam after the fall and descendants) Non posse non peccare “not able not to sin” (Adam after the fall and descendants) Posse peccare non posse peccare (Born again saints back in Edenic position” Posse peccare non posse peccare (Born again saints back in Edenic position” Non posse peccare “not able to sin” (Eternal glory) Non posse peccare “not able to sin” (Eternal glory)

The Solution to the Struggle Act in faith on Christ’s finished work Act in faith on Christ’s finished work Understand who we are in Christ Understand who we are in Christ Understand our temporary condition Understand our temporary condition Understand our future Understand our future

Act in Faith to Grow in Sanctification Romans 6:12-14 Romans 6: Corinthians 9:27 1 Corinthians 9:27 Ephesians 4:22-24 Ephesians 4:22-24 Claim Romans 8:1 Claim Romans 8:1

Attend Bible Study on Sunday Interrupt the teacher. Ask questions. Interrupt the teacher. Ask questions. Dig in and feast on God’s word Dig in and feast on God’s word Pastor’s Class on Sunday night Pastor’s Class on Sunday night Sunday Morning Menu Sunday Morning Menu Bereans beginning Romans 8 Bereans beginning Romans 8 Dan McFall beginning Matthew Dan McFall beginning Matthew Dr. Rawdon on Nehemiah: Leadership Dr. Rawdon on Nehemiah: Leadership Grace Class doing a book study Grace Class doing a book study