Romans 7:7-25
Bad News
Sin will make you miserable until Jesus returns or you die.
Sin will make you miserable until Jesus returns or you die.
Sin is all the bad stuff we do, from grumpiness before our AM coffee to nuclear warfare. But note that I’m not just saying societal sin will make you miserable. I’m saying your own sin will make you miserable, even if you are a Christian. In fact, especially if you’re a Christian.
What makes me think this? Paul’s testimony in Romans 7:15-23. Even though his salvation story is better than ours (Acts 9), his position was higher than ours (apostle!), his knowledge of the law was better than ours (2 Corinthians 11) and he sacrificed more for the gospel than we do (2 Corinthians 11 again); he was still miserable from his own sin.
This obliterates the notion that we can reach a level of Christian maturity that will immunise us from sin. The bad news is that we can expect to experience confusion (v.15), helplessness (v.17-21), and inner turmoil (v.22) because of our sin, even as we’re growing toward Christ.
So why do so many find that their sin doesn’t evaporate after becoming a Christian; but often seems worse? Figuring out how the law works is a big piece of this puzzle.
The Law
Law is the rules, the do’s and don’ts like the 10 commandments.
Law is the rules, the do’s and don’ts like the 10 commandments.
Does the law kill sin? No. It exposes and provokes it (v.7; 8-12).
Why would God use the law to expose and provoke sin in his people? In order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure (v.13).
The law exposes and provokes our sin so we’ll see it for what it is: a hideous monster inside that we cannot contend with alone. It makes us cry out like Paul, Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?
You can’t cope with sin. Pills can medicate its symptoms; but sin remains a festering presence inside. You can’t manage it. Accountability partners, Covenant Eyes, and self-restraint might suppress certain expressions of your sin; but it’ll pop up somewhere else like a horrible game of whac-a-mole.
Good News
The good news is that we have a deliverer (v.25). The law exposes and provokes our sin so we’ll cling to the arms of Jesus Christ. That’s why we’re Christians. We follow a man, not a moral code. It’s good news about what Jesus did, not good advice about what we need to do.
The good news is that we have a deliverer (v.25). The law exposes and provokes our sin so we’ll cling to the arms of Jesus Christ. That’s why we’re Christians. We follow a man, not a moral code. It’s good news about what Jesus did, not good advice about what we need to do.
Jesus lived the life we’ve failed to live and died the death we deserve so that we can be saved by clinging to him – believing in and following him as a disciple.
We need this good news on the 800th day as a Christian just as much as we needed it on our 1st day, because we’ll be needing the Deliverer until the very end.
Implications
1. Sinners need not despair. Go to the Deliverer. Repent. Believe. Be baptised. Learn from the Teacher. Grow. And go make more disciples.
2. Expect a mess within the church. This is not a place for cleaned up people to bask in their moral glory. This is where sin is exposed and provoked so that we can be rid of it by clinging to the Deliverer.
3. Don’t act when with the church. It is the one gathering in which all participants know they’re sinful and in need of help.
4. When evaluating your relationship with Jesus, put more weight on your desires than your morality. While Paul wrestled with sin, he hated it, desired good, and delighted in the law. You will wrestle with sin. But do you hate it? Do you desire to do good? Do you delight in God’s law?
5. Offer deliverance, not condemnation to others. What Christians have to offer the world is not a better moral system. We have the Deliverer! So talk to people about Jesus. Ask your friends where they are with Jesus.
Discussion Starters
1. What did you find most interesting about this passage?
2. Those who are comfortable, share your testimony with the group.
3. Read verses 15-22. Which aspect of Paul’s testimony do you relate to most? How so?
4. Do you find Paul’s struggle with sin reassuring or disconcerting? Why?
5. Within Dulins Grove, is our struggle with sin obvious (messy) or hidden (clean)? Why? Should this change? If so, how?
6. Describe the difference between embracing the law and embracing the Deliverer (v.24-25). How can we point people to Jesus rather than the law as we make disciples?
7. How can we serve one another in light of this passage?
8. How can your group pray for you this week?
