Romans 7: 14 – 25
The Inner Conflict
14 For we know that the law is spiritual; but I am of the flesh, sold into slavery under sin.15 I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree that the law is good. 17 But in fact it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me. 18 For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot do it. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do. 20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me.
21 So I find it to be a law that when I want to do what is good, evil lies close at hand.22 For I delight in the law of God in my inmost self, 23 but I see in my members another law at war with the law of my mind, making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, with my mind I am a slave to the law of God, but with my flesh I am a slave to the law of sin.
What the passage says
V. 14-20 We all know how we should live, as children of God. The biggest problem of life is that it is hard to ‘do’ what we ‘think’ should happen.
V. 21-23 Paul says that we are mind is captive by the law (Jewish law), and our spirit being captivated by the law of sin.
V. 24-25 Since we live in this state of bondage, we need the grace of Jesus to free us.
Rereading the passage in the Message version might help our understanding.
V. 14 14-16 I can anticipate the response that is coming: “I know that all God’s commands are spiritual, but I’m not. Isn’t this also your experience?” Yes. I’m full of myself—after all, I’ve spent a long time in sin’s prison. What I don’t understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise. So if I can’t be trusted to figure out what is best for myself and then do it, it becomes obvious that God’s command is necessary.
17-20 But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can’t keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I don’t have what it takes. I can will it, but I can’t do it. I decide to do good, but I don’t really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don’t result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time.
21-23 It happens so regularly that it’s predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God’s commands, but it’s pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge.
24 I’ve tried everything and nothing helps. I’m at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn’t that the real question?
25 The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different.
What does the passage say to me/us?
We are in need of cleansing of our sin. Yes, the salvation of Christ is complete. However, our journey of Sanctification will continue till we see our Lord, face to face.
When we are truly freed from the contradiction, inside of us, we can offer the freedom, which comes from Jesus to the world.
Are we freed?
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for your blood. Lead us to embody your light in our life. Help us to be freed, so we can share the freedom in this bonded world. In Christ, we pray, AMEN
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