Hi, Romans class. As you read and study this week on Ch. 7, ask yourself the question, "Is Paul in vss. 14-25 speaking of the man before he is in Christ and how he struggles to keep the law perfectly, or is he speaking about the Christian who does have the justification by faith and still struggles with sin?" Maybe any who would like could blog about this with one another during the week while I'm gone to Outdoor Ed. Have a great week in the Lord, everyone. :)
Mark
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i had given up on this set of verses earlier this week. just too many "i dont do what i want to do but i do do what i dont want to do..." i just said ill wait till sunday and get an explination from class.
ReplyDeleteafter thinking about your question and reading over the verses a few times again, it maked more sense. i cant say for sure which point of view paul is talking about here, but it really seems like it can work for both. imo, paul is talking about the christian that has recieved justification but still struggles with sin in his own mind or conscious.
i relate to this as a christian because there isnt a day that goes by that i dont do, or say, or think, something that i know i shouldnt. like paul says "what a wretched man i am." i agree. God has given me this amazing gift of grace which i do not deserve, can i not devote even 24hrs of perfect service to him?
"who will rescue me from this body of sin?"
"thanks be to God - through Jesus Christ or Lord!"
yeah, i dont think ill ever be able to say thay enough
these are good thoughts, wes. i'm not sure i will be able to answer for everyone this sunday which is the correct interpretation of romans 7 to their satisfaction. i have found this passage to be very personal to christians, and sometimes the emotional interaction with a passage makes the interpretation personal rather than academic, for lack of a better term. no doubt everyone relates to the struggle that paul explains here. however, is that the point of the holy spirit for the roman christians? and no matter which is interpretation is correct, your last statement is certainly the essence statement for us all -- how could we ever thank our God through Jesus Christ enough for how He has rescued us. this is mark, btw. i have no idea whose name will appear above mine :)
ReplyDeletegoing from six to seven:
ReplyDeletechoice. die UNDER law- receive wages...or...die TO law- receive eternal life! how can i die TO law? only through being united with Christ!
under law: oldness of the letter.
-v.9 ...sin became alive and i died...
-v.14 ...sold into bondage to sin...
-v.17,20 ...sin which indwells me...
-v.23 ...making me a prisoner...
-v.24 ...who shall deliver me..?
in Christ: newness of the Spirit.
-v.25 thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!!!
- WAIT UNTIL EIGHT!!!