Practical Theology - Part 20
October 9, 2022

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Practical Theology

Part 20 - Romans 7:12-25
Lead Pastor, Darrin Mariott

Big Idea: In our struggle against sin, let’s turn to Jesus who gives us victory and hope.

I. Our Struggle Against Sin, v. 12-24
Romans 7:12-24
12 So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good. 13 Did that which is good, then, become death to me? By no means! Nevertheless, in order that sin might be recognized as sin, it used what is good to bring about my death, so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful. 14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. 21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?

A. Here we see Paul make a stunning confession: He knows the law is spiritual, holy, and good, but he is carnal and cannot keep it in his own strength. The leads to a powerful inner struggle; he wants to do right, but he doesn’t do it, and the evil he doesn’t want to do, this he does. What is he to do? It’s clear we need another route to righteousness, one that only Jesus can provide.

B. Paul’s struggle is our struggle and in it we see that:

1. Sin is deceptive and deadly, v. 13

2. The struggle against sin is real (v. 14-20; cf. Gal. 5:16-18)

Galatians 5:16-18
16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

3. We cannot please God in our own strength (v. 21-23)

4. We need help (v. 24-25)

II. Our Victory in the Spirit, v. 24-25
Romans 7:24-25
24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.

A. Theologians have argued endlessly about who Paul is speaking of in these verses. But Paul’s use of present tense verbs and the first-person singular support the idea that he is speaking of himself. The point is that our nature is so corrupted by sin that we cannot be found righteous in our own power. As such, we need to stop struggling and trust in Jesus’s provision for sin and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit for Christian living.

B. We find hope in that:

1. We are delivered from the bondage of sin and the crushing burden of the law through Jesus Christ (vv. 24-25)

2. We have the Holy Spirit who enables us to live righteous lives that bear fruit for God’s glory (cf. Jn. 14:15-17)

John 14:15-17
15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.

Application: In our struggle against sin, we find that Jesus gives us victory and hope. May we turn to God today in confession and repentance, (cf. 1 Jn. 1:9-10), and in casting our cares upon Jesus (cf. Matt. 11:28-30).

1 John 1:9-10
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.

Matthew 11:28-30
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”