In essence, Romans Chapter 7 highlights the internal struggle with sin, even for believers, revealing that the law cannot overcome sin's power.
Psalm 121 I will lift up my eyes to the hills—
From whence comes my help?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.
Psalm 32:8 8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.
Re-Cap of Part 1: Romans 7:14-25
- The Law Reveals sin in us and our nakedness. Our inability to keep the Law. It doesn’t provide salvation. Nothing good is in the old nature, but it is totally fallen and cannot please God. All believers must struggle against indwelling sin; none are perfected in this life. (Romans 7:18-20)
- We are inclined to internal struggle with Sin
- Deliverance is through Christ – when you are more aware of your failures it’s a process.
- The Nature of Flesh – Sin and opposition to Gods Law are in our Character.
- The Power of the Holy Spirit empowers people to Overcome.
- Sin has no authority over us any longer.
- True believers are not comfortable with their sin or with “the flesh.” They cry out to God for full and final deliverance from it.
Romans 7:18-20
“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.”
Romans 7:24-25
“O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 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.
Gods Message to Cain: Genesis 4:7 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”
Romans 8, Emphasizes the freedom and victory in Christ, offering hope and assurance through the Holy Spirit.
DEMONSTRATION OF WALKING THE BRIDGES
Three key Lessons:
- Security in Christ
- The Power of the Holy Spirit
- Future Glory- Gods Redemption Plan.
SECURITY IN CHRIST
John 1:1-5
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
Romans 8:1-2
“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. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.”
Romans 8:8-9 “So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.”
Romans 8:14
“14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.”
Romans 8:28-30
“28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.”
Romans 8:38-39:
"For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor any creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord".
Matthew 7:19-20 “A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore, by their fruits ye shall know them.”
The Power of the Spirit:
Romans 8:9: "But you are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you".
Romans 8:14: "For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God".
Romans 8:23: "And not only they, but also we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body."
Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV) states that the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, and against such there is no law.
Future Glory: (Gods redemptive plan)
Romans 8:17: HEIRS
"And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ; if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified with Him."
Romans 8:28: GODS PURPOSE
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."
KEY MESSAGES:
- Do not be discouraged and assume you are not a true believer because you fail and sin sometimes or think you will never overcome some particular sin you are struggling with. Understand that the “normal Christian life” includes a constant struggle against indwelling sin. Constantly, therefore, seek God’s grace to help you win the victory.
- God’s Spirit will bear witness to your Spirit if you are God’s child, and there will be some fruit in your life that the Spirit has produced (both inner virtues and outward good works). Check yourself with God’s help and honestly ask Him to reveal the truth of the matter to you.
- Execute your part and take comfort that God’s power and love and purposes are all working both for your good and His eternal glory.
Pr. Edward Muwanga Barlow.