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13. Rescued from a Body of Death

13. Rescued from a Body of Death. Romans 7:7 - 25 p. 1042. A Contentious Issue. Paul appeals to human experience Resonates with our experience Does not present a happy picture – A perpetual struggle with little hope of success? Humans often choose wrong even as they know right

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13. Rescued from a Body of Death

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  1. 13. Rescued from a Body of Death Romans 7:7 - 25 p. 1042

  2. A Contentious Issue • Paul appeals to human experience • Resonates with our experience • Does not present a happy picture – • A perpetual struggle with little hope of success? • Humans often choose wrong even as they know right • Is it before he came to know Christ or after? • Different understandings of the passage . . .

  3. 1. The Problem of the Law • Paul has said unflattering things about the Law – (e.g. 3:20, 28; 4:15; 5:20; 6:14; 7:5) • Is the Law sinful? By no means! (v 7) • The Law/commandment is holy, righteous, good (v 12) • Sin took our sinful natures [“flesh”] to use the Law for evil. • Shows how utterly evil sin is! • The Law provided guidance but notpower ! ! !

  4. 2. The Problem with Human Nature • Important to notice – • Verbs in 7-13 all past tense, in 14-25 present tense • “I” could be used rhetorically (e.g. 1 Cor 13:1-4) • “I” means “anyone”. • Paul did not struggle as a Jew (e.g. Phil 3:5-6). • Passion seems to go beyond rhetorical (e.g. V 24) • Paul looking back through insight of walk in Christ • There is a struggle to walk in the Spirit (Gal 5:16-17)

  5. 2. The Problem with Human Nature . . . • Paul is describing personal struggle with sin (v 7-13). • Looking back with perspective in Christ • Norm for all people • Particular example coveting [lit: “desire”] (Jas 1:14) • Looks more generally (v 14-25) • Unable to do any of the good things he wants to do. • Frustrated cry (v 24) “Who will rescue me?”

  6. 3. Rescued from the Body of Death • Essential Question: • Is this the experience of Christians? • The issue is irrelevant – wrong question ! ! ! • Paul’s main point: • The law is good and holy • Used by “Sin” to bring death • Because human nature is distorted by sinful nature • Thus sin is shown for the sheer evil that it is.

  7. 3. Rescued from the Body of Death . . . • Paul describes the experience of anyone who tries to obey the Law in their own strength. • That’s his point ! ! ! • Christians go wrong – • Attempt to live righteously apart from God • Return to the sin of Adam & Eve. • “We serve in the new way of the Spirit” (7:6)

  8. 3. Rescued from the Body of Death . . . • One future tense verb – v 24: • “Who will rescue me from the body of this death?” • V 25 “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ” • We live with a crucified sinful nature but require the empowering of the Spirit • We have been unified with Jesus in his crucifixion but not yet his resurrection (6:5) • In this interim time we live in the Spirit !

  9. Living in Victory • Things to remember – • We are set free from bondage and have power to choose. • Can only be consistent by living in the Spirit. • God understands – Christ’s sacrifice covers our sins • We are made right by the blood of Christ • We live by the Spirit (see ch 8) • We live in faithful intimacy with God. • Rom 8:1 “there is no condemnation . . .”

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