LIVING IN ANTICIPATION OF DELIVERANCE

Rom. 7:14-25

Morning Meditation 5/27/17

Verse 14-25 says, “For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.”

This passage of Scripture has been a refuge for me many times over the years. But for a passage to be such a blessing, it has also been difficult to explain. Paul sounds as confused as a termite in yo yo. The fact is, that is the reason it helps me so much. I possess an alien nature now that I am saved. I have been made a new person in Christ. I am a new man still inhabiting the old body. Because I am now a partaker of the divine nature (2 Pet. 1:4), I have the desire to live in harmony with the perfect will of God. But I find that I am living in the same body with the flesh (the fallen nature inherited from Adam) and that is a weakness (Rom. 8:3) that keeps me from doing what I want to do.

Let’s notice a few things in this passage.

PAUL DESCRIBES A CONFLICT OF DESIRES

This is brought our in verse 15: “For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that I do.” The words “I do” translate “katergazomai” meaning “to perform, to accomplish, to achieve.” It is present tense meaning that he is talking about a continuous condition existing while writing this epistle. Some take it that Paul is talking about a pre conversion condition. The present tense forbids this. The words “I allow not” translate “ginosko” and means, “to perceive, to know.” Paul is saying that there are some things about his actions that he does not knowingly approve.

The words “for what I would” translate “thelo” and means, “to will, to have in mind, to intend, to be resolved or determined, to purpose.” This describes a desire, a will to do something. The words “that do I not” translate “prasso” and means, “to exercise oneself, to practice, to be busy with, to undertake.” Paul is clearly divided over what he wants to do and what he is able to accomplish. It may be difficult to believe that Paul had this kind of a conflict. But he is giving this in the form of a personal testimony. Here is an apostle, a man filled with the Spirit, having a desperate conflict in desires.

HOW PAUL DESCRIBES THE REASON FOR THE CONFLICT

He does this in verse 17: “Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.” The word “now” means, “at this very moment.” The words “it is no more” suggest that it once was but no more. Paul is a changed man with a new nature. The word “I” is not just the personal pronoun attached to the verb ending. It is “ego” the personal pronoun that is used when “I” is emphasized. The words “that do it” translates the same word that we defined in verse 15. It is speaking of an on going thing. The word “sin” is the normal word for sin (hamartia) which means to miss the mark. The word “dwelleth” translates “oikeo” and means, “to dwell in.” This word is from the word that means to build a house. Sin is at home in the body. Paul is talking about his body as a saved person. That puts a monkey wrench in the theology of a lot of people. The way to straighten that out is to change theologies to fit the Scriptures.

Paul identifies the problem with this word. The word “sin” used in the singular in this case refers to the old sin nature. Man as he is born is identified with this nature. But when we are saved, we are no longer identified with the old sin nature. We died with Christ (Rom. 6:6) to sin and it’s consequences. We are living a risen life with Christ while yet in the body. So Paul credits SIN (the sin nature) with the reason for the conflict. Paul says “It is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwelleth (that is at home in the same body with me) in me.” (Parentheses mine).

Paul goes on to say in verse 18: “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.” Paul makes a difference in the “me” (the new man in Christ) in this verse and the word “flesh” (the old sin nature) in the parenthetical explanation. This leaves Paul in the condition described in the words “for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.” The flesh is not eradicated at salvation. It is still present. It is confusing to some because Romans 6 teaches that the old man died in the death of Jesus. And that is true. But the death of the old man does not mean that it ceases to exist relative to the body in which we live. We are no longer “in the flesh, but in the Spirit” (Rom. 8:9). But we still live in the same body and that sets up a conflict (Gal. 5:17).

The words “dwelleth no good thing” mean what they say. There is nothing good in the flesh. When the unsaved man tries to be right with God on the basis of his own righteousness, he is attempting to make something good that is inherently evil. The flesh is a well without water (2 Peter 2:18), it is a corrupt tree trying to bring forth good fruit (Matt. 7:18), it is man trying to gather grapes off a thorn tree and figs of thistles (Matt. 7:16). It cannot happen. This is one of the primary things man needs to see to be saved. Man is a sinner by nature and by choice. There is nothing he can do to please God. He was born wrong to do right.. Jesus had to be born of a virgin to avoid the Adamic nature passed to all men who have an earthly father (Rom. 5:12). This verse gives the reason that salvation has never been nor can ever be by works. Paul says, “For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh.” Here is the substitutionary atonement. Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty of Sin. He was raised again the third day as proof that we are accepted in His risen life (Rom. 4:25). He is our “wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption” (1 Cor. 1:30). While there is nothing good in us (that is in our flesh), He is perfection PERSONIFIED, and we are “complete in him” (Col. 2:10). Someone hold my mules!!! Hallelujah!!!

HOW PAUL DESCRIBES THE CONFLICT

He describes the conflict as a warfare: “But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.” The words “I see” mean, “to see with the eye, or to discern mentally.” It is speaking of a clear continuous (present tense) understanding. The words “another law” mean, “a different law or principle.” It is different in the context of the statement in verse 22 where he said, “For I delight in the law of God after the inward man.” The inward man thinks right. He is a new creation (Eph. 4:24) created in righteousness and true holiness.

So we have the “inward man” that delights (rejoices in) the “law of God.” But we have recognized and acknowledged “sin” and “evil” (vs 20-21) in the same body. Paul says that the law of sin is “warring against the law of my mind” and it is getting the victory because he adds, “and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members (body).” The word “captivity” translates “aichmalotizo” and means, “to lead away captive.” A person who is lead away into captivity is going against his will. He may resist but if the conqueror has the power to enforce the captivity, there is little he can do. Does Paul leave us in a hopeless condition? No but he does eliminate the possibility of one delivering himself.

HOW PAUL DESCRIBES HIS DELIVERANCE

Paul with the frustration of a helpless captive cries out, “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” The word “wretched” translates “talaiporos” and means, “enduring toils and troubles.” This describes the result of the warfare. It is a losing battle. No matter how hard you try, you will not be able to make you body holy. I have tried to train mine. I have discovered that it is hopeless. The thing that makes this so frustrating for the believer is that God has created him a new person in Christ and that person partakes of the divine nature and hates sin and love holiness. We are not happy with ourselves when we do wrong. This creates the “wretched” condition described in Paul’s outburst of agony.

Then Paul gives the good news. That’s what the gospel is. It is good news. He says, “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Deliverance comes through Christ. God is to be thanked. He is the One who came up with the plan of salvation. There is no salvation apart from Christ. He is the Deliverer. We live in anticipation of deliverance.

What will we do until He comes to raise the dead and translate the living saints? Paul says, “So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

1.The mind in this verse is speaking of Paul in his new nature, i.e., the inward man (vs 22). The inward man is in harmony with the law of God and loves what God loves and hates what God hates. It longs for deliverance but until deliverance comes it looks with longing anticipation of a certain victory (1 John 5:4).

2.The flesh in the verse is speaking of the fallen nature inherited from Adam that inhabits the same body with the believer. This nature is a limiting factor in the Christian’s life. Paul speaks of a time when Jesus will come and “change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself” (Phil. 3:21).

So we live in anticipation of the deliverance that will come with the rapture of the saints. Every Christian can receive relief in this passage of Scripture knowing that Paul’s experience is parallel to his. Conflict is not a sign something is wrong. To the contrary, it is a sign that something is right. Should we settle down and give in to the old sin nature? Absolutely not. Romans 6:2 says, “God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” But as this passage continues in verse 1 of chapter 8 it is good to know in spite of the fact that we have “sin dwelling in us” and “warring against the law of our minds” we are free from condemnation. It is like we have diplomatic immunity from the law.

May the Lord bless these words to our hearts.

In Christ

Bro. White