The Wretched Christian – Part 3
Romans 7:15-25
Sep 24, 2023
Pastor Craig Ledbetter
Bible Baptist Church, Ballincollig, Cork, Ireland
I. Introduction (Turn to Romans 7:24)
A. This letter to the Romans (what we call the Book of Romans), is a letter written by the Apostle Paul under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit of God to wonderfully explain the Gospel.
1. This one book is “a telescope” into the greatness of what happened on the cross!
2. It is 16 chapters long
3. It explains the sinfulness of mankind
B. Chapter by chapter, Paul proves that all human beings are sinners, and deserve the wrath of God on sin and sinners
C. From chapter 4 onwards, Paul proves God’s grace and kindness
a. First to Abraham
b. And then to the entire nation of Israel
c. And now to the world
d. All at great cost to God Himself
2. Paul explains how God GRACIOUSLY offered Himself in our place, so that any one of us, no matter how sinful, can be justified, forgiven, pardoned, from all sin, forever! God became a man, so that He AS a perfect man could die in our place under the righteous wrath of God… instead of us! So we could live forgiven!
D. In chapter 6, Paul explains that Christ’s death changes everything now
1. What Jesus did on the cross was not for Himself, but for us – for people who could never be perfect and sinless
a. Jesus never sinned one moment of His life
b. Yet He was infinitely punished under the wrath of Almighty God when He died…
c. In our place
d. And it was perfect – it was enough to justify every sinful man, woman, and child who would ever be born and live
e. That’s why He was able to get back up after 3 days, never to die again!
2. His death, burial and resurrection changed everything between sinners and God
a. A believer is no longer seen as a sinner, but as judged and dead now, because God looks at me through the cross, and Christ’s death in my place!
b. And a believer is no longer seen as just flesh and bones, but as a spiritual son of God, living and worshipping God using their spirit instead of their hands and feet and money. We worship God with our spirit now, and now our flesh
c. We have been freed from a doomed relationship with sin and our flesh
d. This is deep stuff, but when you get it, you will enjoy its truth for all eternity!
3. The crucifixion removes a believer from condemnation – explained in chapter 8
4. It breaks the grip sin used to have on every one of us, freeing us from sin’s dominion
5. Christ’s death became MY death
6. So that Christ’s resurrection could become MY resurrection
7. THAT is some of the deepest, most wonderful truths of the Gospel very few people take time to ponder!
8. And those things are just some of what Jesus accomplished when He died and rose again!
E. In chapter 7 Paul explains why believers still sin, and why we feel so wretched now (Romans 7:23,24)
1. It is not an easy answer
2. Too many people ignore the Bible, and just think sinning is okay
3. Others continually condemn themselves
4. And still others live in the delusion as if they do not sin anymore at all!
5. There is a war going on in the life of every believer…
6. Romans 7:23,24 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?
F. Let’s see if we can’t finish chapter 7, and summarise where our victory and freedom is found
II. Review (Romans 7:1-14)
A. Till Death Do Us Part (Romans 7:1-4)
1. My relationship with my body, my flesh, my outer man, my old man, is like a marriage
a. It is a cruel relationship – my flesh and its demands on me are brutal, and hurtful
b. So many people hate themselves, hate how they look, hate what they have lived through, hate their limitations
c. When two people get married, they usually produce children –fruit of their union
d. Well, the union of my soul with my flesh was DEATH
e. That’s why THE real me, my soul, wants to be married to someone better
f. But my soul and my flesh are stuck together until death
g. Like marriage is supposed to be
h. If only someone would die!
2. Then Jesus came, and when He died, He declared the cruel, sinful part of me dead with Him! Hallelujah
3. So that sinful people could walk in the Spirit!
4. What does that mean?
a. That we are no longer in a joined relationship with our bodies anymore (no longer stuck together), but have been allowed to link up with our spirit, and WALK in the Spirit now, because our body has been declared dead by God!
b. 1Corinthians 6:16,17 What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.
c. So that I could walk with God, worship Him in my spirit!
5. THAT is why Christ died – to enable me to have a relationship with HIM in my spirit
a. Somehow Christ's death is able to cut away my past from who I am. I am no longer defined by what I did or by who I was, or even by my nature, everything was cut off and died.
b. Now the reality is flesh hasn't died yet.
c. So I have a dual reality. I have a body that is as far as God's concerned, dead.
d. I have a spirit that has been made alive.
e. I enjoy both realities
6. So now that I'm saved, my sins do not define me anymore.
a. My defining moment was the day I got born again.
b. What is important is to understand that right and wrong have not changed. I still sin, but sin is not imputed to me anymore. What does that mean? Well, you can't condemn a dead man. You,
c. the death of Christ has not killed me, but it was enough to cover My sin, So that, I was judged as if I had died.
B. Something is Still IN Us, Killing Us (Romans 7:5-13)
1. Something that is like a disease, but much worse!
2. We are now delivered from the law governing the flesh (7:6)
a. “When we were in the flesh”
1) Romans 7:5 For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.
2) In a relationship with our flesh, our bodies – doing whatever your body, your lusts wanted to do…
3) Sin was actively at work not bringing pleasures like we always hoped…
4) But causing a slow death
b. Romans 7:6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.
c. Not from the commandments
d. But from the penalties for breaking the commandments
e. That is important to understand
f. No one lives free from rules and commandments
g. But born again Christians live free from the eternal consequences of breaking God’s rules and commandments
3. So that we can serve God in our spirit (7:6)
a. Romans 7:6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.
b. Ephesians 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
c. Ephesians 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
d. Paul is describing us before were we born again as SPIRITUALLY dead
e. Like a dead battery – it can do nothing good or useful!
4. The law simply exposed what was killing me (Romans 7:7-11)
a. Romans 7:7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.
b. Romans 7:8 But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.
c. Romans 7:9 For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.
d. Romans 7:10 And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.
e. Something called ‘Sin’ was in me - inside all of us slowly destroying us
f. And God’s law exposed sin in all of us
g. And agitated sin in me like when you turn the light on in the kitchen and some bugs scurry back under the cabinets!
h. Sin deceived me into thinking I was okay
i. Romans 7:11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.
5. The law of God is holy and just and good (7:12,13)
a. Romans 7:12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.
b. It is even called “spiritual” – more than just rules and expectations
c. Romans 7:13 Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.
d. It has three main functions
1) It shows me what is right and what is wrong
2) It exposes how sinful sin is – how deep rooted it is in everything I do
3) And therefore shows me how sinful “I” am – making me guilty
4) All so that I look to the only way of recovery/salvation/deliverance from the judgment I deserve – an innocent lamb!
6. Thank God He showed me what I am, like a good doctor, or a proper judge does
C. But I am Carnal, Sold Under Sin (7:14)
1. Romans 7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
2. That is my life, as long as I live in my flesh
3. And I DO live in my flesh, just as you do!
a. 2Corinthians 10:3 For though we walk [LIVE] in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
b. 2Corinthians 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. [MY FLESH IS STILL VERY MUCH ALIVE]
c. Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
4. I still sin – my flesh still desires wrong things and rebels against God
5. But my life does not live in a relationship with my flesh now that I have been born again
6. And one day, I am going to get a new body, perfect, just like Jesus’ is
7. Until that day, my flesh is STILL bound to sin – it will always want to do wrong things, say wrong things, think wrong things, lust for wrong things
III. Message
A. I am At War (Romans 7:15-20)
1. Paul proves there is a war going on inside every believer
2. You can deny it all you want
3. But listen to Paul describe his life NOT as a sinner, but as a Christian (7:15)
a. Romans 7:15 For that which I do I allow not:
1) for what I would, that do I not;
2) but what I hate, that do I.
b. Does that describe a Christian who has no temptations?
c. Does that describe a Christian who no longer sins?
4. Evidently Christians still need God’s laws (7:16)
a. Romans 7:16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
b. Because… we need to be reminded what is right and good, and we need rebuked when we are NOT doing right
5. Sin Still Lives In Me (7:17,18)
a. Romans 7:17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
b. So, sin DWELLS, lives in me
c. And it lives specifically IN MY FLESH
d. Romans 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing:...
6. Sin Fights Against Even My Own Will (7:18,19)
a. Romans 7:18,19 … 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.
b. Paul struggled to NOT do, say, think evil things, and yet he still did them
7. Something still needs to be constantly brought into submission to the will of God – SIN (7:20)
a. Romans 7:20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
b. Paul wrestled against wicked imaginations in his own heart and mind sometimes
c. Paul put on the whole armour of God to be able to defeat sinful lusts and temptations
d. Paul commands us to mortify the feelings and lusts we may be struggling with
e. IT IS A WAR
f. And it is a war any believer CAN and MUST win!
8. Thankfully, NOW we have the right weapons, and we have the victory!
B. So, What’s the Point? (Romans 7:21-25)
1. Something is in me still that is constantly trying to bring me back into captivity/slavery to its grip (7:21,23)
a. Romans 7:21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
b. Romans 7:23 But I see another law in my members [IN MY BODY], warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
2. But I have a new man in me now (7:22)
a. That delights and loves righteousness, and God’s laws and rules
b. Romans 7:22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
3. JESUS
a. Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
b. One of the proofs a man or woman is born again is they have this desire
c. They have Jesus’ desires!
d. If you don’t care about God or the laws of God or the Bible, you need to worry about whether you have Jesus Christ IN you or not!
4. And that new, inner man is my victory, and will deliver me one day from THIS BODY OF DEATH (7:24,25
a. Romans 7:24,25 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord...
b. No hope in the pope - Mary can’t help us
c. Your favourite priest, or prayers can’t deliver you
d. ONLY JESUS CAN
e. And He will deliver you and me one day from this vile, wretched, sinful body
f. Romans 8:21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
g. 2Corinthians 1:10 [JESUS] Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;
C. Two Spiritual Laws are at work – like scientific laws – a FACTS
1. So, part of me will always want to sin (my flesh)
2. But part of me will continue to delight in God and in His law, and in righteousness, and in heaven, and spiritual things
3. You say prove it…
a. Dear born again child of God… If you are not vigilant…
b. Sin in you will take over your words, your thoughts, your desires, your actions
1) Like it did in David’s heart the night he took another man’s wife
a) You say, “I would never step out on my wife and have an affair”
b) Really? Are you so sure?
2) Like it did in Peter’s actions when he decided to deny knowing Jesus Christ – THAT was Peter!
3) Like it did when Demas forsook the Gospel ministry and turned his back on Christianity, and started loving this present evil world
c. But that part of me is not important anymore!
1) My mental choice is to follow and obey the laws of God
2) Romans 7:25 So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
3) My flesh’s desires will always follow the law of sin and death
4) And I am okay with that
5) Because God is okay with it as well
6) He did not make me perfect the moment I got saved
7) He just made me justified, and forgiven
8) And then comes alongside me, and is my victory, every moment of every day, through every temptation to live in rebellion towards Him
IV.Conclusion and Summary
A. You cannot deny the war a Christian is in
1. God says a part of you has been declared dead
2. You need to start believing it
3. And yielding the body you used to sin with, to the will of God
4. It is easier than you think
B. But never forget… Sin is active in you and me and independent of our own will
1. SIN is in me – clear rebellion against God
2. It hinders me, limits me from doing all the good things I know I should do
3. I am Unable to do good like I want
4. I am Unable to NOT do sinful things like I don’t want
5. We do wrong even though we don’t want to
a. On our best days, you and I are still sinful, and proud, and wretched and wicked
b. We are rebels in our nature, against God, and against doing what is right!
c. That’s why God hates rebellion is us, and we should hate it in us too
d. That’s why a Christian declares, “I am a wretched man” in my flesh
6. That’s why God’s laws are good to know and have and obey
C. Sin will be wrestled with until the day you enter heaven dear Christian!
D. You and I have the privilege and the supernatural ability to kick sins and temptations and the devil in the teeth, every time they try and pull you back
E. If you are not born again, the question is, are you going to let sin take you to hell, or are you going to get saved TODAY, so you can kick it in the teeth and get victory over any sin by walking and living in the Spirit of God Almighty?