By Robert Olsen, Ph.D.
Professor of Historical Theology and Director of Intercultural Studies, University of Mobile
STRUGGLE
Romans 7:4–6, 14–25
Freed (4–6)
Paul uses an illustration from marriage to show that believers are now no longer “married” to the law but are now “married” to Christ.
In the Old Testament, if a man died, his wife was free to remarry. Because of Christ’s death and fulfilling the law, we are no longer bound to the law but are bound to Christ. Therefore, we are no longer slaves to sin.
Instead, we overcome sin through the power of the Holy Spirit. Since we now live for Christ, we bear the fruit of righteousness, doing good works not out of obligation but freely out of love for Christ.
This is often difficult for Christians to understand. They feel that as a Christian they HAVE to do good works, but in reality we GET to do good works.
A sign of maturity as a believer is that good works become a natural desire for us. The fruit of the Spirit becomes a natural overflow of new life in Christ.
Conflicted (14–23)
Even though the law shows us our sin, Paul points out that the law is not evil. In fact, the law is a gift of God to show us we are in need of a savior who will fulfill the law on our behalf. This is how Christ frees us from the power of the law.
However, in spite of the freedom we now have in Christ, sin is still a real problem.
Becoming a Christian does not mean we no longer struggle to live a godly life. Even though Christians are indwelt with the Holy Spirit, they still wage war against the flesh.
Every Christian fights against sin, and in this passage we see this with Paul.
Paul, one of the greatest examples for us, found himself laboring against the power of sin. If this is true for Paul, then it is true for all of us. When we war against sin, we are being sanctified. One word of encouragement regarding the fight against sin is that it helps us rely on God because we are not able to achieve sanctification on our own. Furthermore, it helps us to show grace and mercy to other Christians who are struggling with sin.
Knowing that sin constantly opposes Christians should cause us to realize the importance of relying on God daily. We should constantly be in prayer to avail ourselves of the help of the Holy Spirit to fight against sin.
Hope (24–25)
Having reflected on the unfortunate struggle with sin in his own life, Paul demonstrates his frustration with the line he shouts in verse 24 and the question that follows: “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?”
He answers his question in the next verse: “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!”
When Christians sin, the Holy Spirit convicts us and points out our sin. While this can demotivate us, frustrate us and cause us to despair, we look to Christ for our solution!
Sin should drive us to look to Christ and help us remember our sins are forgiven. We can move on in victory. Many times nonbelievers point out the sins of Christians to show us we are imperfect.
We always have to remember the gospel that shows us that God loves us in spite of our sins and forgives us.
This is the glory of the power of the gospel! We need to remember that we live in the victory of Christ and are no longer defined by our sins but by Christ in us.
EDITOR’S NOTE — The Sunday School lesson outlines are provided by Lifeway.
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