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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 3:10 “there are none righteous” 3:11 “there is none who seeks after God” 3:12 “there is none who does good, not even one”
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Romans: Entire Gospel in One Book • First three chapters on sin condition of man • 3:10 “there are none righteous” • 3:11 “there is none who seeks after God” • 3:12 “there is none who does good, not even one” • 3:23 “all have sinned and fallen short of glory of God”
Chapter 4 is about justification being by faith • Chapter 5 is about the results of justification (5:1) • 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 “The Great Lament” • Depicting an immature Christian? • Depicting a “carnal” Christian? • Depicting a mature Christian? • Depicting Paul himself?
The Conflict of the New Nature and the Old Flesh • Vs. 14a “The law is spiritual” • Vs. 14b “I am of flesh” • 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 • How can sin indwell a believer who is perfect? • No longer is the real “I” sinning but the old “I” • Romans 6:6-7 “our old self was crucified with Him……
The Marks of a Maturing ChristianVs. 19-24 • Paul saw Christ on Damascus Road (Acts 9) • Paul caught up to heaven (2 Cor. 12) • Paul wrote most of NT epistles • 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) • 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” • Non posse peccare “not able to sin” (Eternal glory)
The Solution to the Struggle • Act in faith on Christ’s finished work • Understand who we are in Christ • Understand our temporary condition • Understand our future
Act in Faith to Grow in Sanctification • Romans 6:12-14 • 1 Corinthians 9:27 • Ephesians 4:22-24 • Claim Romans 8:1
Attend Bible Study on Sunday • Interrupt the teacher. Ask questions. • Dig in and feast on God’s word • Pastor’s Class on Sunday night • Sunday Morning Menu • Bereans beginning Romans 8 • Dan McFall beginning Matthew • Dr. Rawdon on Nehemiah: Leadership • Grace Class doing a book study