Romans 7:14-25

In Romans, we have learned who we are in Christ. We are joined to Christ. We died with Christ and are raised with him. We are new people, with new hearts. We are dead to sin, sin has no power over us we are alive in Christ. We are under grace, not law. We live by the power of the spirit, not the old written code. The end of Romans 7 talks about the battle or struggle with sin and the only way to win that battle.

Read Romans 7:14. Paul says "I am of the flesh...", the flesh he is talking about is the unredeemed sinful selfish tendency we have in us. All of us have it. It is not you but it is in you. Kind of like a sea creature that has a shell. The shell is not part of the creature, it can leave the shell and go to another, but it has the shell while it is alive.

Read Romans 7:15-17. We completely understand his struggle, make sure to note the distinction in vs. 17. It is not really me that sins, but the sin in me. We are responsible for the sin that we do but the distinction here matters, it is not really me who sins but the sin in me. Read Romans 7:18-20. Paul basically restates what he said in vs. 15-17. He then clarifies in vs. 18 that it is the unredeemed sinful tendency that is opposed to God, we have the desire to do what is good but the flesh does not. He carries it further and says that he does not have the power to carry out what his desires are. Paul admits that he is powerless to win the battle against sin, the only way he can win is with God. He is needs God's help to overcome. We can relate to this!

Paul makes the point twice in this passage that he struggles with sin, but the sin is not part of him, it is not what he desires, instead the sin is part of the flesh in him and he lacks the power to overcome. He needs God's strength to overcome the pull of sin/flesh. Read Romans 7:21-25. Isn't it true? Sin is not eradicated completely, instead it sits close at hand, waiting. In our inner beings we desire to please the Lord and delight in God's law. But there is and will always be a battle raging in our body and minds with the flesh and the spirit, sin and holiness. These two things drastically oppose one another and will constantly be at war within us. In desperation Paul exclaims in vs. 24 "Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?" He is desperate, he needs help, he cannot wage the battle on his own he needs God's help, he is at the end of his own strength. But this is a great place to be, even though it is hard. That is right where God wants us; desperate for him.

When you reach the end of yourself and cannot fix, solve, or handle the problem you need to depend on Christ. That is where your strength is, it is not from yourself, it is from God. The word is: Surrender. You need to completely surrender, be depend on Christ, and desperate for his guidance. "My power is made perfect in your weakness."

Discussion Questions:
1. How do you identify with Paul's struggle in Romans 7? Have you felt this way? When?
2. Would you be willing to talk about a specific sin that you are struggling with these days? Have you come to the place of surrender - you cannot take care of this problem, only Christ can?
3. Does it make any difference for you if you see the problem not as you, but as sin in you?
4. As we finish up Romans for this season what are some of the truths that you learned about your identity and God? What are some practical ways that you can "write these truths on your heart" so as not to forget?