1. Romans 7 Summary

2. Why We Still Sin Paul does acknowledge the “weakness of the flesh.” The “the body/flesh of sin” is decaying (buried) but still present in the life of believers. Christians can grow at different rates and there are Christians that need to be rebuked/challenged when they stay baby Christians for a long time (Hebrews 5:12-6:3). But along with this warning of infant Christians or Christians who at the present are acting “fleshly” (1 Cor. 3) comes warnings that those who never grow are not true believers (Hebrews 6 and 10). Yes, we can still commit terrible sins, we can struggle terribly with repeated sins, but overall the believers life is marked with repeated confession, repentance, and an attitude that struggles well (never stops resisting the pull of the world, the flesh, and the devil) and through God’s power sees increasing victory and replacement of sin with righteousness/holiness over time (Illustrations: unbeliever flat line, believers rising graph). In fact, our repeated confession of sin is ironically proof/assurance that we are true believers (1 John 1:9) because unbelievers don’t confess and repent of their sin – they minimize it, deny it, or ignore it. 1 John 2:1 “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” To Struggle Well with the flesh

3. When A Christian Is In Perpetual Sin For those cases where a believer continues to grieve the Holy Spirit: Be Gentle and Patient with them – (Eph. 4:15, 1 Thess. 5:14) Be Forbearing and Forgiving towards them (Romans 14:1, 15:1, Colossians 3:13) Warn them – Challenge to test themselves (2 Cor 13:5, 1 John) Keep warning them – (1 Timothy 2:11-19) Confront/Rebuke them – show them their error directly from Scripture (Titus 1:13) Start Church discipline on them (Matthew 18) as God takes His name, His reputation, and promise of sanctification very seriously. Remind them of God’s personal discipline (Hebrews 12) - Scripture does says “He disciplines those He loves,” and if necessary, He will take a believer’s life who is saved/sealed but continually and severely grieving/resisting the sanctification of the Holy Spirit (Sexually Immoral Man in Corinth - 1 Cor. 3:15, 5:5, Ananias and Sapphira - Acts 5, strict warning not to go on grieving the Holy Spirit – Ephesians 4:30). Example: The new spirit battling the old flesh like two dogs fighting – Which one wins? The one you feed. To Struggle Well with the flesh

4. The Great Paradox There are a couple great paradoxes in the Christian life (Trinity of 3 but 1, Jesus fully human but fully God, and saints that are holy but still sin). The paradox in sanctification is that we know that Christians still sin and yet are forgiven all their sins past, present, and future. We know that Christians are capable of what we consider “big sins,” and yet if we confess our sins, God will be faithful to forgive and cleanse us of all our unrighteousness. So how do we handle the paradox of knowing in our flesh we will still sin, knowing God in His grace will always forgive us, and yet not using the weakness of our flesh or God’s abundance of grace as an excuse/license to sin. The answer and point of Romans 6 is that we combat this temptation by Biblical knowledge (“know this”), Biblical thinking (“consider this”), and Biblical obedience (“therefore do this”). As true slaves to God and slaves to righteousness we love our Master and cannot take advantage of our Master’s love/grace. We know none of us are perfect and that sanctification is a long process that is not complete until glorification. So we resolve to struggle well in and through the Lord’s power and means that are available to us (His Spirit through prayer, His Word through personal study/preaching, His people through fellowship/discipleship accountability). So Romans 6 tells us to combat this paradox/temptation with Scriptural knowledge, Scriptural thinking, and Scriptural actions. Romans 7:22 - 8:1 “For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin. Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Knowing I will sin but not using it as excuse to sin

5. Taking Your Thoughts Captive to the Word of God Lies and Excuses we have all encountered and must combat with Scripture: “God made me this way” James 1:12-15 “Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.” “The devil made me do it” 2 Corinthians 5:7-10 “We live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” “I can’t help it or stop sinning” Ephesians 6:10-17 “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” “ Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free”

6. Taking Your Thoughts Captive to the Word of God Lies and Excuses we have all encountered and must combat with Scripture: “The world, the flesh, and the devil are too strong for me – I can’t resist” James 4:7-8 “Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” 1 John 4:4 “You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.” “I’ve tried it all before and failed – there’s no use trying anymore…I can’t overcome my sin” 1 John 2:13-14 “I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I have written to you, children, because you know the Father. I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.” 1 John 5:4-5 “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world-- our faith. Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” “God will never forgive me” 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” “ Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free”