Embracing the Walking Contradiction of Faith
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into Romans chapter 7, exploring the profound concept of the "walking contradiction" that every believer experiences. This contradiction arises from the tension between our new nature in Christ and our old sinful nature. We began by reviewing the journey of redemption, emphasizing that redemption means being bought back by God through the blood of Jesus Christ. This journey includes three key aspects: justification, sanctification, and glorification. Justification is a one-time event where we are declared righteous by faith in Christ. Glorification is the future event where we will be free from sin and in perfect fellowship with God. However, the focus today was on the present process of sanctification, where we continually fight against sin and strive to walk in step with the Holy Spirit.
Paul's self-portrait in Romans 7 reveals his own struggle with this contradiction. He expresses his frustration with his inability to do the good he desires and his tendency to do the evil he hates. This internal battle is a common experience for all believers, as we are both saints and sinners simultaneously. The law, which is holy, just, good, and spiritual, exposes this war within us by drawing clear lines of what is right and wrong. However, our sinful nature often rebels against these boundaries, leading to a constant struggle.
Paul's cry of "Wretched man that I am!" reflects the exhaustion and frustration of this battle. Yet, he finds hope in Jesus Christ, who delivers us from this body of death. The key to overcoming this struggle is not in our own willpower but in surrendering to the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to walk in spiritual victory. We must continually rely on the Spirit, acknowledging our helplessness and hopelessness without Christ, and embracing the freedom and abundant life He offers.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Journey of Redemption: Redemption is God's way of bringing us back to Himself through the blood of Jesus Christ. It includes justification (being declared righteous), sanctification (the ongoing process of becoming holy), and glorification (future freedom from sin). Understanding these aspects helps us appreciate the full scope of our salvation and the ongoing work of God in our lives. [24:10]
2. The Walking Contradiction: As believers, we are both saints and sinners at the same time. This paradox is a result of our new nature in Christ and our old sinful nature coexisting. Paul's struggle in Romans 7 mirrors our own, highlighting the internal battle we face daily. Recognizing this contradiction helps us understand our need for continual reliance on the Holy Spirit. [30:38]
3. The Role of the Law: The law is not sinful; it is holy, just, good, and spiritual. It serves as a tool to expose our sinfulness and our need for a Savior. The more we understand God's commands, the more we realize our inability to keep them perfectly, driving us to depend on Christ for our righteousness. [39:50]
4. Surrendering to Christ: True victory over sin comes from surrendering to Jesus, who alone can deliver us from our sinful nature. Paul's declaration of "Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!" emphasizes that our hope and strength lie in Christ's finished work and His ongoing presence in our lives. [51:50]
5. Living in the Power of the Holy Spirit: We must continually surrender to the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to walk in spiritual victory. This involves daily choices, small victories, and constant reliance on the Spirit's guidance. By doing so, we can experience the abundant life that Christ offers and glorify God as walking contradictions. [58:33]
### YouTube Chapters
1. [0:00] - Welcome
2. [21:28] - Opening Scripture: Romans 7
3. [22:20] - Elder and Deacon Nominations
4. [24:10] - The Road to Redemption
5. [25:09] - Review of Romans 1-5
6. [26:08] - Justification Explained
7. [27:26] - Glorification: Our Future Hope
8. [28:10] - Sanctification: The Present Struggle
9. [30:38] - The Walking Contradiction
10. [31:33] - Paul's Self-Portrait in Romans 7
11. [39:50] - The Role of the Law
12. [46:03] - The War Within: Sinful Nature vs. New Nature
13. [51:50] - Surrendering to Christ
14. [58:33] - Living in the Power of the Holy Spirit
15. [59:58] - Pastoral Prayer and Closing
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Romans 7:15-25
- Galatians 5:16-17
- 1 Timothy 1:15
### Observation Questions
1. In Romans 7:15, Paul expresses his struggle with doing what he hates. What does this reveal about his internal conflict? [31:33]
2. According to the sermon, what are the three key aspects of the journey of redemption? [24:10]
3. How does Paul describe the law in Romans 7:12, and what purpose does it serve according to the sermon? [39:50]
4. What does Paul mean when he says, "Wretched man that I am!" in Romans 7:24, and how does he find hope? [49:13]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of being a "walking contradiction" as both saint and sinner help us understand our daily struggles with sin? [30:38]
2. Why is it important to recognize that the law is holy, just, good, and spiritual, even though it exposes our sinfulness? [39:50]
3. How does Paul's cry for deliverance in Romans 7:24-25 reflect the need for reliance on Jesus Christ rather than our own willpower? [51:50]
4. What does it mean to live in the power of the Holy Spirit, and how does this help us in our process of sanctification? [58:33]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you felt the tension between your new nature in Christ and your old sinful nature. How did you handle it, and what could you do differently next time? [28:10]
2. Paul talks about the law exposing our sinfulness. How can you use this understanding to deepen your reliance on Christ in your daily life? [39:50]
3. In what areas of your life do you find it hardest to surrender to the Holy Spirit? What steps can you take to improve your reliance on Him? [58:33]
4. Think about a time when you tried to overcome a sin through your own willpower and failed. How can you shift your approach to rely more on Jesus and the Holy Spirit? [51:50]
5. Identify one specific sin that you struggle with regularly. What practical steps can you take to surrender this area to Christ and seek the Holy Spirit's guidance? [52:52]
6. How can you remind yourself daily of the freedom and abundant life that Christ offers, especially when you feel overwhelmed by your sinful nature? [51:50]
7. Discuss with the group one small victory you have experienced recently in your spiritual walk. How did surrendering to the Holy Spirit play a role in that victory? [58:33]
Devotional
Day 1: The Journey of Redemption
Redemption is God's way of bringing us back to Himself through the blood of Jesus Christ. It includes justification (being declared righteous), sanctification (the ongoing process of becoming holy), and glorification (future freedom from sin). Understanding these aspects helps us appreciate the full scope of our salvation and the ongoing work of God in our lives. Justification is a one-time event where we are declared righteous by faith in Christ. Glorification is the future event where we will be free from sin and in perfect fellowship with God. However, the focus today was on the present process of sanctification, where we continually fight against sin and strive to walk in step with the Holy Spirit. [24:10]
Ephesians 1:7-8 (ESV): "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight."
Reflection: How does understanding the full journey of redemption (justification, sanctification, glorification) change the way you view your daily struggles and victories?
Day 2: The Walking Contradiction
As believers, we are both saints and sinners at the same time. This paradox is a result of our new nature in Christ and our old sinful nature coexisting. Paul's struggle in Romans 7 mirrors our own, highlighting the internal battle we face daily. Recognizing this contradiction helps us understand our need for continual reliance on the Holy Spirit. Paul expresses his frustration with his inability to do the good he desires and his tendency to do the evil he hates. This internal battle is a common experience for all believers, as we are both saints and sinners simultaneously. [30:38]
Galatians 5:17 (ESV): "For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do."
Reflection: In what specific areas of your life do you feel the tension between your new nature in Christ and your old sinful nature? How can you rely more on the Holy Spirit in these areas?
Day 3: The Role of the Law
The law is not sinful; it is holy, just, good, and spiritual. It serves as a tool to expose our sinfulness and our need for a Savior. The more we understand God's commands, the more we realize our inability to keep them perfectly, driving us to depend on Christ for our righteousness. The law, which is holy, just, good, and spiritual, exposes this war within us by drawing clear lines of what is right and wrong. However, our sinful nature often rebels against these boundaries, leading to a constant struggle. [39:50]
Romans 3:20 (ESV): "For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin."
Reflection: How has the law revealed areas in your life where you fall short? How does this realization drive you to depend more on Christ?
Day 4: Surrendering to Christ
True victory over sin comes from surrendering to Jesus, who alone can deliver us from our sinful nature. Paul's declaration of "Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!" emphasizes that our hope and strength lie in Christ's finished work and His ongoing presence in our lives. The key to overcoming this struggle is not in our own willpower but in surrendering to the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to walk in spiritual victory. We must continually rely on the Spirit, acknowledging our helplessness and hopelessness without Christ, and embracing the freedom and abundant life He offers. [51:50]
2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Day 5: Living in the Power of the Holy Spirit
We must continually surrender to the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to walk in spiritual victory. This involves daily choices, small victories, and constant reliance on the Spirit's guidance. By doing so, we can experience the abundant life that Christ offers and glorify God as walking contradictions. The Holy Spirit empowers us to walk in spiritual victory, and this involves daily choices, small victories, and constant reliance on the Spirit's guidance. By doing so, we can experience the abundant life that Christ offers and glorify God as walking contradictions. [58:33]
Galatians 5:16 (ESV): "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh."
Reflection: What daily practices can you implement to ensure you are walking in step with the Holy Spirit? How can you remind yourself to rely on His power throughout your day?
Quotes
1. "Now, if you will remember, when we talk about the road to redemption, really that is God's way of bringing us back to himself. And so the term that we've used is redemption. And redemption means to buy back. That once we were his, we went away, but he bought us with a price that was the blood of Jesus Christ to bring us back to himself. And that's that road to redemption, bringing us back into fellowship with him and fellowship, right fellowship, with one another." [24:10] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "It's by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. It's where we have been forgiven of our sin and we are declared righteous. And we are indwelled by the Holy Spirit. That is a one-time act. As soon as you place your faith in Jesus Christ, you are declared righteous. Because of what Jesus has done on your behalf. You take on the righteousness of Christ. You are now indwelled by God. Praise God. God himself. Praise God." [26:08] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We are both saint and sinner at the same time. We are a walking contradiction. We are completely justified. Praise God by the blood of Jesus and his sacrifice for us. Praise God. That says this is who you are. And because this is who you are, we know that one day we will be fully accepted for eternity. Yet in the land in between, it is this war zone where we fight. Where we are two different things. Saint and sinner. We know that we are free from sin. Yet we fight against sin all the time." [30:38] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "I want to live for God. I want to do the right things. I want to follow him. I want to treat my family well. I want to get into the word. Yet, I do everything opposite. Why is there a Dr. Jekyll and a Mr. Hyde that lives in me? I wish it weren't so. But the Apostle Paul can relate. He is both saint and sinner at the same time. Because he has this new nature that was reborn. If anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation. You have been reborn by the Spirit of God. You have this new nature. But you have this old nature that hangs around." [33:13] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "It is unbiblical to think that once you come to know Christ, you are, you should experience Christian perfection. Like you will never, ever struggle with sin again. If you believe that, you are not even in the company of the Apostle Paul. Because remember, he still struggles. And so to hold anybody else to that is unbiblical. Okay. We will all struggle with sin. We will all struggle with sin in this in between land called sanctification until we meet Jesus face to face when we are glorified. All of us." [35:48] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "The law exposes a war within each person. And when I say battle lines, I am talking about the standard that God uses. That this is the line in the sand. And if you are on this side, you are against God. And if you are on this side, you are for God. And God has drawn those lines in the sand all the way back beginning in Genesis. This is why we went back to the beginning. And if you remember back in Genesis, that is what he talked about. It was Adam and Eve. Hey, here is the lines. Don't eat from the fruit of that tree. Everything else you can do. But here are the lines." [37:23] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "The problem isn't the law. The problem isn't God's commands. The problem is within us. We are the problem. I am the problem. You are the problem. It is deep down inside. It can't be healed by an MRI machine. That just exposes that sinfulness. You see what is exposed in us. Is what Paul is talking about here. That our sinful nature. Continues to war against our new nature. Our sinful nature. Continues to war against our new nature. Those are at odds. With one another." [46:03] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Thanks be to God. I am thanking him now. Not for just what he did in justification. Not for only what he will do in glorification. But thanks be to God. That he can rescue me now. Thanks be to Jesus. That he can save me now. That he can unchain me now. That he can leave me. Into abundant eternal. Everlasting life. Now. I can experience that. At this very present time. Thanks be to God." [51:50] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "You have to constantly rely on him. You have to constantly surrender. Constantly. Every minute. Every hour. Every day. Every week. Every month. You see the spiritual life isn't just something that you can say. Check the box over there. Done. I blew out the candles. Now they're blown out. The sinful nature is gone. Soon as you think you've blown it out. And it's dead. And gone. It flares back up. Every time." [53:44] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "We're all addicted to sin. Every one of us. And so we've never kicked the habit. You've never kicked it and done. You always live in recovery. You always live in need of rescue. You always live saying. I have to die to my old nature. And I have to surrender to Christ. Have to every day. I am every day living in recovery. As a sinner. And as a saint. I'm a walking contradiction. And in order to be a walking contradiction. That glorifies God. You have to constantly surrender." [54:48] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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