Aug 4, 2019
Originally Presented: June 24, 2007
Scripture Reading: Romans 7:14-25
One of the most well known sections of the book of Romans is 7:14-25. As one reads these verses, there looms a very large question. The answer to that question profoundly affects the way this paragraph is interpreted. The question is this: Do the statements of these verses describe the inner turmoil of an unbeliever or of a Christian? To be fair, conservative Bible scholars line up on both sides of the question.
The view I present this morning is this. The speaker behind these heartfelt statements is the apostle Paul, speaking as a Christian . . . and not only as a Christian, but as a spiritually mature believer.
First, the verb tenses of Romans 7 change from the past tense verbs of verses 7-13 (describing Paul's past experience), to present tense verbs in verses 14-25 (describing Paul's present experience). Second, the Law of God is spoken of in a way that only Christians would speak of it (Rom 7:14,16, 22,23,25). Third, the description of the struggle and the intensity of it does not sound like the inner turmoil of an unbeliever (Rom 7:15,18,19,21,22,24).
If this section contains the inner battle of a mature Christian, then it reflects a certain reality in the Christian life. The normative experience of Christians, even spiritually mature Christians, is a life of inner struggle with the residual corruption of indwelling sin. For the Christian, the penalty of sin has been removed, the power of sin has been broken, but the presence of sin remains. The Christian must, therefore, prepare himself for a lifelong battle against his own sin, regardless of repeated failure. This is the reality of life as God's people this side of heaven.