Romans (Written)

Sunday, 30 June 2013

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.  Romans 8:2

In the analysis of verse 7:22, the various “laws” were noted which reflect our state as humans. Some are negative laws, such as the “law of sin and death.” Others are positive and which are granted to those who believe in Jesus. These are called “laws” because they work in a governing way, just as the laws of the universe do – gravity, motion, energy, thermodynamics, etc.

The “law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus” is a governing law. This law is granted by faith in Christ. The moment a person believes the gospel which they have heard, they are sealed with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13, 14). A new law is available to govern us and it “has made me free from the law of sin and death.” One law replaces another in this case. We move from a position “in Adam” which carries the sentence of death and condemnation, to that of being “in Christ” which frees us from both.

Actually there are three principle ways of being united to Christ. The first is that we are united by faith. Because of this relationship, we are born again and thus we are united by birth. Just as we were born into Adam, we are now born into Christ. And this means that we are in Christ in a third way, by essence. Jesus uses the symbolism of the vine and the branches. We share the same vitality and life source – this is the Spirit.

The Spirit is our guarantee of eternal life. He is the deposit which assures us that, despite the failings of our flesh, we are now children of God and “co-heirs” with Christ. But one final thought should be considered. We can work against the law of gravity through the use of an opposite force, a rocket for example. In the same way, we can work against the Spirit in us by not yielding to the Spirit. This goes back to the war Paul speaks of in chapter 7.

Life application: By faith, we are granted the Holy Spirit of promise. We are granted new life and a new direction. Let us not work against this great blessing, but yield to God. Stay in touch with the Lord through prayer, meditation on His word, fellowshipping with other believers, etc. What we have been granted is infinitely superior to what we gave up, so let us endeavor to move forward in this wonderful new life.

Majesty and honor are Yours, O God. Help me to continuously seek out Your glory and not turn my eyes from the beauty of Your splendor. In this world, I often struggle with the carnal life. I’m bound to it in my flesh, but I know that it is temporary and fleeting. So give me the wisdom and the desire to put these things behind me and seek only Your glorious perfection. Amen.

Saturday, 29 June 2013

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:1

This first verse of chapter 8 shows the culmination of all of Paul’s previous discourse. He has worked slowly and methodically through the various doctrines of the previous seven chapters to come to this marvelous conclusion. It is a conclusion which needs to be evaluated in connection with everything that has thus far been said, or it will lead to further confusion. If properly understood, the fact that the chains of bondage are destroyed in Christ becomes evident.

In this coming chapter, as evidence of this certainty, Paul will deal extensively with the role of the Holy Spirit. In fact, the Spirit will be spoken of 19 times in the NKJV translation. The work of Christ had to come before the giving of the Spirit and this is the logical progression of thought in Paul’s writings –

1) The state of man
2) The introduction of the law and its consequences
3) The work of Christ
4) The effect of the work of Christ in man
5) Life in the Spirit for man in Christ

Obviously, much more has been involved thus far, and the thoughts have moved back and forth through a vast array of interwoven concepts, but he has given us an overall framework which has led to today’s verse and which will carry us through the coming verses.

“Therefore” is the key to connecting us back to what has been submitted. Based on these things, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus…” The things which bound us are gone “in Christ Jesus.” This doesn’t mean that those who are in Him have been given a free pass to sin, nor does it mean that sins committed in Christ aren’t to be condemned. Instead, we are given a contrast.

Based on the discussion of the law in chapter 7 we see that in Christ condemnation isn’t pronounced in the same manner as it was under the law. Where the law always condemns, the gospel graciously pardons.

A problem and a misunderstanding does arise though from the rest of the verse – “who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” Is this a conditional statement on ultimate “condemnation” of the believer? In other words, is this saying that if one doesn’t outwardly walk “according to the Spirit” they can lose their salvation and go back onto the avenue of destruction?

The answer is, “No.” However, because of the wording and a misunderstanding the context of Paul’s thoughts, this is often what is proposed by scholars. As always, the context of a passage must be considered. Right from the beginning of Chapter 7, Paul gave the example of death nullifying law and then he equated that with Jesus’ death nullifying the law for us. Thus we are positionally “in Christ” and dead to the law and thus “in the Spirit.” He then said that because of this “we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter.”

The choice is still given to us how we will conduct our earthly walk, regardless of our heavenly position. “Condemnation” in this verse is the word katakrima. FF Bruce rightly calls it “punishment following sentence –  in other words, penal servitude. There is no reason for those who are in Christ Jesus to serve sin as if they had never been pardoned and never been liberated from the prison-house of sin.”

If you follow the logic, this isn’t speaking then of condemnation in eternal hell, but the condemnation of living in prison which results from living in sin. If we “walk according to the Spirit” we are living a life of freedom from the bondage of sin. If we fail to conduct our lives according to this walk, then we will suffer the prison of our walk. As evidence for this, the rest of the New Testament shows us it time and time again.

For example, Paul says to those in Ephesus, “Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:28-32

For those in Christ who fail to follow the instruction and live in agreement with the Spirit they have been granted, they will receive the condemnation in the flesh that they deserve. However, this doesn’t effect their eternal state in Christ. As always, the biblical truth of eternal salvation is upheld.

Life application: In Christ, we have freedom from the penalty of the law and we stand justified in God’s presence because of the work of Jesus. We also have the ability to serve God in the newness of the Spirit. Why would we want to cling to the flesh and suffer the consequences of such a choice? Instead, let us endeavor to live in Christ in holiness and virtue.

Glorious beautiful Lord! Thank You for the freedom You have given me through the cross of Christ. In His death, the law is taken away. In His resurrection, the Spirit is granted and pardon is bestowed upon undeserving me. I never want to forget the marvel of what You have done. May I boast in nothing but the cross of Jesus. Thank You, O God, for the marvel of the cross. Amen.

Friday, 28 June 2013

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. Romans 7:25

Chapter 7 has lead us time and time again to the conclusion that we are fallen beings in a real predicament. No matter what we will to do, the flesh overrides that will and we do what we will not to do. The impossible dilemma for fallen man is resolved though in the Person of Jesus. Paul acknowledged his wretched state and then agonizingly asked, “Who will deliver me from this body of death?”

The cry was made for any person who truly wants to be free of the corrupt nature they were born with. Jesus explained the dilemma to us when speaking to those under the law –

“Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?”  Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” John 8:31-36

As Paul has shown in this chapter, the fact that they were under the law only magnified their guilt – a guilt all bear even from birth. His explanation of what Jesus claimed during His earthly ministry has been clear and concise. Conscience could do nothing to resolve the problem, the law could do nothing to resolve it (and in fact only exacerbated the dilemma), and what we in our human weakness could not do – where everything else failed, Jesus prevailed. The release is found in Him.

Another exposition of this is found in 1 Corinthians 15 where the earthly man (Adam – representing all humanity) is contrasted to the heavenly Man (Jesus – to whom we move when we call on Him). Similar concepts are identified and explained and the end result is given with words which confirm the thoughts of Romans 7 –

“The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians:15:56, 57

For all of us, there are choices to make. We can stay in Adam and die in him or we can move to Christ Jesus and live with Him. And even in Christ, we must choose how we will conduct ourselves as we await our glorification. Will we serve the law of God and live lives of holiness, or will we serve the flesh and obey the law of sin? The answer should be clear. Now that we know the remedy, let us pursue godliness and holiness through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Life application: How do you serve the law of God with your mind if you don’t know the law of God? It is incumbent on you to read and know your Bible. Otherwise, your aspirations for following God are no better than a cup of dust on a hot day. Come to the waters and drink freely from the fountain of God’s word.

Oh God, I say I want to serve You, but then I make up my own ways of doing that. Serving You must be by following what You want, not what I want. Give me the hunger and desire to know Your word. After thinking it through, I realize that the only way I can properly honor and serve You is to know what You desire. I know that Your word, the Holy Bible, shows me what is right for this purpose. Amen.

Thursday, 27 June 2013

O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Romans 7:24

It has been since verse 5 of chapter 7 that Paul has written of the conflict that we experience between the flesh and the “inward man.” During these verses, he has repeated his thoughts as if to stress them to us. He has made a comparison, using himself as an example of all humanity; he has used personification, such as the presence of sin in us; etc. These tools have been used to highlight the state we are in as humans, and even as believers. We have a war which rages in us and tears at us as we struggle in this battle.

Today he cries out his wretchedness using the Greek word talaipōros. It is a word which indicates being beaten down from continued strain. The battle leaves a person as if full of calluses and in a state of deep misery. Such a state includes immense side effects from the great, ongoing strain and hardship of the battle. The word is used only one other time in the New Testament. In Revelation 3:17, Jesus says this to those in the church at Laodicea in describing their wretched state, “Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked…”

After the exclamatory cry, Paul makes his begging plea to whatever ear will heed him, “Who will deliver me from this body of death?” It is the pitiful cry of any person who understands and feels the conflict and who desires relief from it. There are several prominent viewpoints on what the “body of death” means.

The first is that it is the law of sin found in our members which Paul has been describing. Albert Barnes sees the term “body of death” as a Hebraism which denotes the tendency of the body – “the corrupt principles of man, the carnal, evil affections that lead to death or condemnation.” If this is correct, then the body of death is tied directly to the “body of sin” mentioned in earlier verses. This body of sin has been done away with as is noted in Romans 6:6. Thus the struggle which remains after salvation is real, but it is defeated. Only we cling to the old self, but in reality the victory is won.

A second option is given by the Jew Philo who says it represents the physical body which is a burden to the soul of man. This body is carried about like a dead carcass. It never rests properly from birth even to death. However, the Bible teaches that man is a soul/body unity and that the soul without a body is “naked.” Therefore, if the analysis of Philo is even close to correct, it can only be ascribed to a fallen body, not one as it was originally created for man.

The third option is that it refers to the ancient custom of taking a captive and tying him to a dead body as a type of punishment – face to face, hand to hand, body to body. He would then be compelled to drag this “body of death” with him wherever he went. It’s possible that this is actually what Paul was thinking of and he is merely using it as a description of the on-going battle we face. We are alive, but we still carry this “body of death” with us. Will we break the chains? Will we be free from the corruption which clings to us, infects us, and weighs us down? “Who? Who will deliver me from this body of death?”

Life application: Yes, there is corruption in our earthly, fleshly body. We drag around the consequences of our past sins, and we often add to the corruption through more sins. But there is a way out. There is victory in this battle if we will but yield to Jesus. He who knew no sin was made sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. Let us endeavor to truly live as if this is true.

O God, I carry around the weight and the heavy burden of the sins I’ve committed. Some have affected me physically, some mentally, and some emotionally. And Lord, I know some have affected those around me as well. Deliver me, O God, that I may not bring more pain to myself or others. And above all, deliver me that I might not bring discredit upon Your glorious name! Amen.

Wednesday, 26 June 2013

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. Romans 7:23

Verses 21-23 are to be taken as a unit. Verse 22 and 23 explain 21 – “I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. For I delight in the law of God according to 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.”

21 – Paul (and thus us) will to do good, but evil is there present with him.
22 – The “will to do good” is that he delights in the law of God. This is his “inward man.”
23 – “But” – this is the contrast and will be the explanation of the fact that “evil is there present with him.” There is the law of God, but contrasting that is the “law in my members.” The members of the body are the flesh which bring about our weakened state. When we get hungry, maybe we will sin by stealing food (Proverbs 6:30). When we allow ourselves to be tempted through sexual enticement, we will sin through adultery (Proverbs 6:32). And so on…

In 1 Corinthians 6:15, we see it noted that as believers, our members need to be used for a higher purpose because they are positionally now members in Christ – “Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a harlot? Certainly not!” This is the war that we are engaged in; the war which exists in our members.

It is “warring against the mind.” Paul introduces a word for “warring against” which is found nowhere else in the New Testament – antistrateuomenon. This war sets our flesh against our will to do good and it is a conflict which can bring the greatest preacher or the most noble Christian woman into difficult straights.

Jesus noted this war on the night before His crucifixion. When he asked Peter, James, and John to stay near and watch with him, they fell asleep. Jesus’ words to them show how difficult this battle is, even for those who walked with Him – “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:41)

Peter had a similar failure which is noted in Galatians 2:11-21. When we allow ourselves to be distracted by our weaknesses, it brings us “into captivity to the law of sin which is in” our members. There is a cure for our difficult battle and there is victory which can be had in this war. In just a couple of verses, the good news is given. For those who rely on Christ, there is deliverance from this body of death.

Life application: As we struggle with the flesh, we need to continuously remind ourselves that victory can be attained. When the trials and temptations seem overwhelming, remember that Jesus prevailed and now, through Him, there is strength to defeat the desires of the flesh. Keep in the word, pray without ceasing, and be filled with the Spirit. The battle can be won.

Lord God, you know the times that I have been hurt by others in my life. Help me to forgive those who ask for forgiveness and to hand over my hurt to you for those who still war against me. Don’t let me become bitter by events of the past, but give me the ability to move forward in Your strength. Help me to be the person who is filled with joy, even to overflowing – a blessing to others, just as You bless me. Amen.