Sermon on Romans 7:21-8:6 Good Choice!
By Revd Jeremy Tyndall
GOOD CHOICE!
Romans 7:21-8:6
7:21 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. 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do: by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and to deal with sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 so that the just requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. [NRSV]
7:21 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. 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do: by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and to deal with sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 so that the just requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. [NRSV]
INTRODUCTION
Judaism teaches that within people there are two tendencies, two impulses, one good and one evil. The evil tendency though could be defeated by wisdom and reason. It is with this background that Paul comments about his own experience:
7:19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do. 21. So I find it to be a law that when I want to do what is good, evil lies close at hand.
This is the way it is… our frequent experience no doubt. He further explains:
7:22 For I delight in the law of God in my inmost self,
God's word, good to chew on…
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.
Law here means "this is the way it works" God's view - this is not OK.
8 VERSE 5 COMMENTARY….
8:5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh,
-EXPOSITORY NOTE: 'FLESH'
Judaism teaches that within people there are two tendencies, two impulses, one good and one evil. The evil tendency though could be defeated by wisdom and reason. It is with this background that Paul comments about his own experience:
7:19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do. 21. So I find it to be a law that when I want to do what is good, evil lies close at hand.
This is the way it is… our frequent experience no doubt. He further explains:
7:22 For I delight in the law of God in my inmost self,
God's word, good to chew on…
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.
Law here means "this is the way it works" God's view -
8 VERSE 5 COMMENTARY….
8:5
-
o Literally - the physical
o According to the flesh - looked at from the human point of view, humanly speaking.
o The opposite of walking in the spirit.
o Human nature in its fallenness, its sinfulness, its waywardness. Where the driver is the dictates and desires of human nature rather than the love of God.
Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!
Today's lectionary left off where it needed it carry on! The Thanksgiving anticipates the statement in the opening verses of chapter 8:
8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Key term NO CONDEMNATION. How come? Sin needs dealing with, hear how Paul describes in verse three what God did
…by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and to deal with sin,
Jesus was a sin offering - there had to be some cost - basic cosmic justice.
he condemned sin in the flesh,
Could imply:
- Separated sin and sinner (good pastoral approach for us too)
- OR it was in the arena of the flesh that Christ's victory took place, and/but he shows us the other path.
Either way, " No condemnation" should be our experience as Christians of being freed.
THE NEW DEAL
The purpose of all this…
8:4 so that the just requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit..
At least established, not that we do it perfectly, but at least the heart surgery has been done, our lives are turned around and pressed into God's direction. Healing indeed:
Today's lectionary left off where it needed it carry on! The Thanksgiving anticipates the statement in the opening verses of chapter 8:
8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Key term NO CONDEMNATION. How come? Sin needs dealing with, hear how Paul describes in verse three what God did
…by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and to deal with sin,
Jesus was a sin offering -
Could imply:
-
-
Either way, "
THE NEW DEAL
The purpose of all this…
8:4 so that the just requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit..
At least established, not that we do it perfectly, but at least the heart surgery has been done, our lives are turned around and pressed into God's direction. Healing indeed:
o We are saved from the penalty of sin
o We are being saved from the power of sin
o We will be saved from the presence of sin.
So what was can be turned into what can be and is…
8:5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.
So the believer is Spirit-controlled, Christ centred, - on the way to life. - not towards the sunset but the new dawning - even despite our physical mortality..
CONCLUSION
Even as Christians, like Paul we know we have two ways of being
i) In the old way in the flesh. (Disobedience - inevitable consequence of Death. Focus is on self; controlled by passion , lust, desire for power, pride, ambition)
or
ii) in the Spirit where sin is conquered - because we are forgiven, and then we are empowered to live differently.
Leo Tolstoy wrote about when he became a Christian
Five years ago, I came to believe in Christ's teaching, and my life suddenly changed. I ceased to desire what I previously desired, and began to desire what I formerly did not want. What had previously seemed to be good seemed evil, and what had seemed evil seemed good. It happened to me as it happens to a man who goes out on some business, and on the day decides that the business is unnecessary and returns home. All that was on his right is now on is left, and all that was on his left is now on his right. (Quoted Michael green Evangelism through the Local Church p.35,36)
8:5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.
So the believer is Spirit-
CONCLUSION
Even as Christians, like Paul we know we have two ways of being
i) In the old way in the flesh. (Disobedience -
or
ii) in the Spirit where sin is conquered -
Leo Tolstoy wrote about when he became a Christian
Rev Jeremy Tyndall © 2008