Unit: Romans (Part 3)
Theme: Holy
Lesson Text: Romans 7:7-12, 21-25
Supplemental Text: Ezekiel 6:8-10; 20:42-44; Romans 7:1-6; Galatians 3:10-22
Aim: Recognize your unholiness and ask the Lord to rescue you.
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Download a PDF of this week’s lesson material (the Study by Mark Scott, Application by David Faust, and Discovery Questions by Michael C. Mack): LOOKOUT_Mar13_2022.
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By Mark Scott
Adam was exposed (Genesis 3:9). Cain was exposed (Genesis 4:9). David was exposed (2 Samuel 12:7). Peter was exposed (Luke 22:61-62). John Mark was exposed—literally (Mark 14:51-52). All of us have been exposed (Hebrews 4:13). The Bible is like a mirror that exposes us—warts and all.
Paul continued his argument about sanctification in Romans 6–8. Remembering our baptism helps us live holy lives (Romans 6). The Holy Spirit helps us live holy lives (Romans 8). And staying close to the Bible helps us live holy lives—specifically by allowing its convicting power to wash over us.
The Holy Law Convicts
Romans 7:7-12
Paul used the example of marriage to make his point about the purpose of the law at the beginning of Romans 7. Marriage is binding upon a couple until the death of one’s spouse. The purpose of the marriage contract is to keep the couple together. The same is true of the law in regard to its purpose for Christians.
The law (mentioned 12 times in our text and also called the commandment six times in this text) had a noble purpose—i.e., to help make us holy. There is no problem with the law. The law is certainly not sinful. It cannot be blamed for our unholiness. It did what God set out for it to do. It convicted people of sin.
Paul used the example of coveting (strongly desiring something that someone else has). Some scholars have suggested that this was Paul’s affliction—but that is only a guess. “You shall not covet” is the final commandment of the 10 (Exodus 20:17; Deuteronomy 5:21). Not knowing the commandment does not exonerate one from being guilty of breaking it. But when one is informed of breaking God’s law, the only path forward is to be responsible with that conviction.
Sin seized (mentioned twice in the text, it means “took hold of”) the opportunity to attack Paul at his weakest point. Even if Paul did not know he sinned, he still was guilty; but knowing he had sinned made his sin worse in a sense. Paul personified sin by saying sin sprang to life. This happened by listening to the law with its convicting power. The law was intended to make God’s people holy. In the end, the law underlined their sinfulness.
The law had a redemptive side. There was nothing wrong with it. It remained holy, righteous and good. Exposure beckons responsibility.
The Law of Sin Wages War
Romans 7:21-25
One might be tempted to think that once the law brought its conviction to God’s people they would be totally done with sin. That is wishful thinking, for the battle with sin will continue as long as God’s people live or until Jesus returns.
Scholars differ about whether Paul was describing a reality in his life at the time of this book’s writing or possibly a reality from his life before he met Christ. First-person descriptors (I, my, and me) occur 24 times in this text, and the present tense might seem to argue that Paul was describing a present struggle. But the grammar does not have to be understood that way. And would a “Christian” say that “good . . . does not dwell in me” (Romans 7:18)?
Regardless of the time period Paul was describing, the “law of sin” (in this case “law” does not mean the Old Testament law but the “principles drawn from experiences”) waged war against his soul. Paul’s desires were pure. He longed for the right thing (delighted in God’s law). But heaven can fix some things we cannot fix in this world. Temptations will come while we exist in the flesh. In fact, sin can make a prisoner out of the finest of believers.
For Paul this meant his life was like a walking civil war. He was similar to a push-me/pull-me toy (i.e., a toy that wants to go in opposite directions at the same time). Paul self -diagnosed himself as wretched (afflicted or in suffering). The only one who can rescue and deliver is Jesus. Constant connection with Jesus helps us wage the war with sin.
Paul admitted to this ongoing war. His saved state in the realm of the mind of Christ submitted to God. But the flesh pulled him away from God. He found himself trapped and enslaved to sin. This was his reality. But a larger reality was when he delighted in God (Psalm 1:2; 119:16, 24, 27) he experienced no condemnation from God . . . and neither will we (Romans 8:1). Exposure can be a good thing so long as it drives us to God.
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