Understanding Paul's Struggle: Law, Sin, and Grace

 

Summary

In our exploration of Romans 7:14-15, we delve into the complexities of Paul's discourse on the law and sin. This passage has sparked much debate due to its challenging nature, but it is crucial to approach such difficulties with perseverance and reliance on the Holy Spirit for understanding. The Apostle Paul is addressing the limitations of the law, emphasizing that while the law is spiritual, it cannot justify or sanctify us. The problem lies not with the law but with our sinful nature. Paul asserts that the law reveals our sinfulness but does not provide the power to overcome it.

Paul's statement, "I am carnal, sold under sin," is pivotal. It highlights the struggle between the desire to uphold the law and the inability to do so due to our sinful nature. This struggle is not unique to the unregenerate or regenerate man but is a universal human experience. The unregenerate do not recognize this conflict because they are unaware of the law's spiritual nature. Conversely, the regenerate, while aware of the law's demands, still experience this internal battle, though they are no longer slaves to sin.

The key to understanding this passage lies in recognizing that it describes a life of frustration and failure when one attempts to fulfill the law's demands through human effort alone. The law, while holy and good, cannot empower us to live righteously. This realization should drive us to Christ, who offers the grace and strength to live according to God's will. As believers, we are called to live in the newness of the Spirit, not under the oldness of the letter, and to bear fruit unto God.

Key Takeaways:

- Embrace Difficulty with Faith: When faced with challenging passages, resist the temptation to give up. Instead, let these difficulties drive you to seek the Holy Spirit's guidance and deepen your understanding of God's Word. This perseverance is crucial for spiritual growth. [02:45]

- The Law's Limitations: The law is spiritual and reveals our sinfulness, but it cannot justify or sanctify us. Our inability to fulfill the law's demands highlights our need for Christ's grace and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. [07:23]

- The Struggle with Sin: Paul's description of being "carnal, sold under sin" reflects the universal human struggle with sin. This struggle is not limited to the unregenerate or regenerate but is a reality for all who seek to live righteously. [09:37]

- Living in the Spirit: As believers, we are called to live in the newness of the Spirit, not under the oldness of the letter. This new life in Christ empowers us to bear fruit unto God and overcome the power of sin. [26:52]

- The Role of Grace: The grace of God, through Jesus Christ, offers us freedom from the dominion of sin. This grace is abundant and enables us to live victoriously, fulfilling the righteousness of the law through the Spirit. [21:38]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Introduction to Romans 7:14-15
- [01:08] - Addressing the Difficulty of the Passage
- [02:13] - The Right Reaction to Difficulty
- [03:01] - The Importance of Mental Effort
- [04:23] - Historical Context of Understanding
- [05:10] - Encouragement for New Believers
- [06:50] - The Major Theme: The Law's Limitations
- [07:54] - The Subsidiary Theme: Our Sinful Nature
- [09:37] - The Key Phrase: "I am Carnal, Sold Under Sin"
- [11:25] - The Meaning of Being Sold Under Sin
- [13:00] - The Whole Man in View
- [15:12] - The Slave Analogy
- [17:10] - The Unregenerate's Misunderstanding
- [19:03] - The Regenerate's New Position
- [21:38] - The Abundance of Grace
- [25:32] - The Incompatibility with Regenerate Life
- [29:22] - The Life of Frustration and Failure
- [35:12] - The Balance of Life's Description
- [41:14] - The Unregenerate's Lack of Awareness
- [43:04] - The Regenerate's Ongoing Struggle
- [45:22] - Conclusion and Reflection

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Romans 7:14-15
- Romans 6:16-18
- Romans 8:1-2

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Paul mean when he says, "I am carnal, sold under sin," and how does this reflect the human struggle with sin? [09:37]

2. How does the sermon describe the limitations of the law in justifying or sanctifying us? [07:23]

3. According to the sermon, what is the significance of recognizing the spiritual nature of the law? [09:00]

4. How does the sermon explain the difference between the unregenerate and regenerate person's understanding of the law? [16:24]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the sermon suggest believers should react to difficult passages in the Bible, and why is this important for spiritual growth? [02:13]

2. In what ways does the sermon describe the role of grace in overcoming the power of sin, and how does this relate to living in the Spirit? [21:38]

3. How does the sermon explain the universal human struggle with sin, and what does it suggest is the key to overcoming this struggle? [09:37]

4. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between the law and our sinful nature, and how does this understanding drive us to Christ? [07:54]

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Application Questions:

1. When faced with challenging passages in the Bible, how can you practically seek the Holy Spirit's guidance to deepen your understanding? [02:13]

2. Reflect on a time when you tried to fulfill the law's demands through your own effort. How did that experience highlight your need for Christ's grace? [07:23]

3. The sermon emphasizes living in the newness of the Spirit. What specific changes can you make in your daily life to live more in line with the Spirit rather than the letter of the law? [26:52]

4. Consider the ongoing struggle with sin described in the sermon. How can you remind yourself of the freedom and victory offered through Christ in moments of temptation? [09:37]

5. The sermon discusses the role of grace in overcoming sin. Identify an area in your life where you need to rely more on God's grace. What steps can you take to invite His grace into that area? [21:38]

6. How can you cultivate a mindset of perseverance and faith when studying difficult biblical passages, rather than giving in to discouragement? [02:13]

7. Reflect on your understanding of the law's spiritual nature. How does this understanding impact your relationship with God and your approach to living a righteous life? [09:00]

Devotional

Day 1: Perseverance in Understanding God's Word
When faced with challenging passages in the Bible, it is easy to feel overwhelmed and tempted to give up. However, these difficulties are opportunities for growth and deeper understanding. By relying on the Holy Spirit, believers can gain insight and wisdom. This perseverance is crucial for spiritual growth, as it encourages a deeper relationship with God and a more profound comprehension of His Word. Embracing these challenges with faith allows believers to mature in their spiritual journey and develop a resilient faith. [02:45]

"For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him." (Ephesians 1:15-17, ESV)

Reflection: What is one challenging passage in the Bible that you have avoided? How can you commit to studying it with the Holy Spirit's guidance this week?


Day 2: The Law's Role in Revealing Sin
The law is spiritual and serves to reveal our sinfulness, but it cannot justify or sanctify us. It highlights our inability to fulfill its demands, pointing us to our need for Christ's grace and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. This understanding is crucial for believers, as it shifts the focus from self-reliance to reliance on God's grace. Recognizing the limitations of the law should drive us to seek Christ, who offers the strength to live according to God's will. [07:23]

"Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin." (Romans 3:19-20, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways have you relied on your own efforts to fulfill God's law? How can you shift your focus to rely on Christ's grace and the Holy Spirit's empowerment today?


Day 3: The Universal Struggle with Sin
Paul's description of being "carnal, sold under sin" reflects the universal human struggle with sin. This struggle is not limited to the unregenerate or regenerate but is a reality for all who seek to live righteously. The unregenerate may not recognize this conflict, but the regenerate, while aware of the law's demands, still experience this internal battle. Understanding this struggle helps believers to be compassionate towards themselves and others, recognizing that it is a shared human experience. [09:37]

"For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out." (Romans 7:18, ESV)

Reflection: How have you experienced the struggle with sin in your own life? What steps can you take to rely on God's strength rather than your own in overcoming this struggle?


Day 4: Living in the Newness of the Spirit
As believers, we are called to live in the newness of the Spirit, not under the oldness of the letter. This new life in Christ empowers us to bear fruit unto God and overcome the power of sin. By living in the Spirit, believers can experience true freedom and victory over sin. This transformation is not achieved through human effort but through the grace and strength provided by Christ. Embracing this new life allows believers to fulfill God's will and live righteously. [26:52]

"But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code." (Romans 7:6, ESV)

Reflection: What does living in the newness of the Spirit look like in your daily life? How can you cultivate a deeper reliance on the Holy Spirit to guide your actions and decisions?


Day 5: Embracing God's Abundant Grace
The grace of God, through Jesus Christ, offers us freedom from the dominion of sin. This grace is abundant and enables us to live victoriously, fulfilling the righteousness of the law through the Spirit. Understanding and embracing this grace is essential for believers, as it provides the strength and motivation to live according to God's will. By relying on God's grace, believers can experience true freedom and joy in their spiritual journey. [21:38]

"For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace." (Romans 6:14, ESV)

Reflection: How have you experienced God's grace in your life? In what areas do you need to rely more on His grace to overcome sin and live victoriously?

Quotes


I remind you once more that this section is a section that has led to a great deal of discussion and of controversy and that of course because it is obviously not an easy section. I want to say just a word about that before we proceed any further this evening. [00:50:31]

Our reaction to difficulty should be this: it should make us realize our need of the Holy Spirit and the enlightenment that he alone can give. That's a very good thing for us. Secondly, it should create within us a resolve and a resolution to apply our efforts more than we've ever done before to an understanding of these things. [00:59:04]

The Apostle Paul in this section and in every verse of it is justifying his own teaching about the law and especially he is out to show us what the law cannot do. Now then, that's the thing to hold on to. He is justifying his own teaching about the law and especially his contention that the law can neither justify us nor sanctify us. [01:11:28]

The trouble is that I am carnal. Now we dealt with that last week. I am carnal, but I'm not only carnal, I am sold under sin. Now then here's the phrase, here's our most remarkable statement. Everybody as far as I can make out, all the commentators are agreed that this is the most significant statement in the whole section. [01:33:20]

Sold under sin means that I am sold into a condition of slavery to sin. In other words, I am in a condition of slavery to sin or I am a slave to sin. Sin is the master and I am the slave. That is the plain meaning of the actual words used by the Apostle. [01:51:56]

The unregenerate person doesn't understand the nature of the law. No unregenerate man knows that the law is spiritual. The apostles already told us that in verse seven. What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin but by the law. [02:41:12]

The regenerate man has still left in his mortal body, in his members still, and he has a fight to wage. That's why he's exhorted, as Paul exhorts him in verses 11, 12, and 13 of that chapter. But while I say that this is true in a measure and only in a measure of the regenerate, it is certainly not a description of the regenerate man as he is in general. [03:36:48]

This is not, I say, a description of the man to whom these exhortations are made and of whom these glowing wonderful statements have been made in chapters 5 and in chapter 6. The regenerate man falling into sin has to say that he has done something that he doesn't believe in doing. [03:58:40]

Verse 15 we can safely say is true of a man who has come to see the spiritual character of the law, that he should keep it. It is indeed a description of a man who desires to keep it but who finds in practice that he cannot. He sees the law is spiritual, he admires it, he wants to keep it, but try as he will, he cannot keep it. [04:32:22]

The law does not enable him to keep the law. I leave you with a question: is this verse saying anything more than that? Very well, we leave it at that for this evening, and God willing, we shall go on next Friday to consider the two inferences that he draws from this extraordinary statement in verses 16 and 17. [04:59:20]

Oh Lord Our God, we again come into thy presence. We thank thee, Oh Lord, that we can say in thy holy presence that we hate sin and that our desire is to keep and to honor thy holy law. Oh God, we thank thee for that, for we know that as we were by nature and in and under sin, we could not say that. [05:51:28]

We thank thee for the Blessed Plan of Salvation. We thank thee that we are dead to sin, dead to the law, that we are alive unto thee through Jesus Christ thy son, our blessed Lord and Savior. We worship thee, we worship him, we bring our adoration. We thank you for this new position in Christ Jesus. [06:21:04]

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