Romans 7
by Pastor Lawrence Bowlin

This is one of the most debated passages in Paul’s epistle to the Romans, for some say that Paul is speaking of his past as a Jew in regards to his struggle over sin, whereas others believe that Paul is referring to his current experience as a Christian and even an apostle. In the first six verses Paul is still addressing the previous objection to the gospel of grace that he brought up from the last chapter about whether we ought to sin now that we are not under law but under grace, and he still proving why that is not to be. Then, in v.7 he brings up another objection, asking, “What then shall we say? That the law is sin?” and he responds emphatically, again, saying, “By no means!” Then, in his more elaborate answer he explains that the law itself is good since it reveals our sins to us; however, our sinful desires within us actually have been aroused all the more by God’s commands, since our flesh is in opposition to God’s will for our lives. As a result, the law itself, which promises life to those who obey it, actually brought death to us when sin drove us to rebellion and its natural consequences. Nevertheless, Paul adamantly affirms that the law itself is holy, righteous and good, even though our sin caused the law to pronounce condemnation upon us. Then, in v.13 he asks another question, saying, “Did that which is good, then, bring death to me?” Again he denies it, for it was not the law that brought death, but rather sin. The law merely pointed out the sin and proclaimed its consequences. It was sin itself that brought death. The law merely showed the sinfulness of sin and its heinousness in the sight of God.

But notice, in v.14, the change from the past tense to the present to show Paul’s ongoing concern over, and conflict with, sin. This is not a conflict that exists within an unbeliever, but only that which occurs in a Christian indwelled by the Spirit of Christ. A Christian still has the old desires of the old man desiring to rebel against the holy law of God, but he or she now, also, has new desires for holiness granted by the Holy Spirit within, and this discrepancy causes ongoing conflict in the heart of a believer. We know that this is referring to Paul’s state as a believer since he admits that he wants to do good, which in Romans 3 he said no one does on his own. He also admits that sin dwells within him and that his actions are evil. This is certainly not something that a Pharisee, which Paul was prior to following Christ, would ever admit to. No Pharisee would ever refer to himself as a wretch and cry out for deliverance from God.

But if it is true that Paul is describing his current situation in the present tense, then it tells us that the process of sanctification is just that, an ongoing experience of seeking to mortify sin and vivify the grace of God in our lives. Contrary to those who have bought into perfectionism in the Christian life, this view of sanctification is actually very freeing for it describes our current reality between the now and the not yet, between our justification and our glorification in Christ. Although we have been declared saints, we still see within us something dreadfully wrong, horrendous desires that hate the law of God, and despicable actions that continue to shame us from time to time that we have even dared to call ourselves Christians. Nevertheless, the hope of the gospel is based upon that prayer for deliverance that Paul gives at the end of the chapter to finally be rid of this body of sin forever. Our hope of salvation is not dependent upon any complete victory over sin in this life, but in Christ’s complete victory over sin at the cross and the power and promise of God at work within us continually teaching us to hate our sin, to repent of it and to continue to boast in the righteousness of Christ and not in our own perfection.