BOOK OF ROMANS CHAPTER 7
Lesson No. 23 THE LAW AND SIN

Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. —Romans 7:4—

Life is a struggle but not a fruitless struggle for the believers of the Lord. A believer in Christ has to wage war against sin every day and I have to admit it, I do not always win. Sin has power and it even leads to or causes death. The law of God has exposed the “sinfulness” or “iniquity” of sin. However, we who believe in Christ and live for Him are never without power. As believers we have been delivered and are being delivered from sin by the power of the risen Christ. His death broke the yoke of sin to those who put their trust in Him. Romans chapter 7 speaks clearly of this reality.

MESSAGE

1. The law whether Jewish or not is no longer the power of the believer against sin. The victorious Gospel [life of Christ, His death and His victorious resurrection] is now our power against sin which is beautifully illustrated by marriage (Rom. 7:1-6). Our unsaved life has brought death because of sin (v.5) but now being released from the bondage of law, we serve God in newness of life (v.6).

2. The law has wholly exposed the “sinfulness” of sin—it is evil and has brought death to every man (Rom. 7:7-12). We should be thankful to our God who brought us the law that allowed us to see and realize what sin is and what it can do to us (Rom. 7:7-8). The law made us to realize that we are all sinners and worthy of death (Rom. 7:9-11).

3. The law is not the cause of death but SIN ITSELF. By the law, I am made to realize that “I am carnal, sold under sin” (Rom. 7:13-14).

4. The present struggles and experiences of a believer against sin (Rom. 7:15-25).

4.1. The principle of sin still lies deep in the heart [old] of a believer (vv.15-17).
4.2. The flesh [the sinful nature and not the physical body] is that personality of man controlled by sin and directed to selfishness and worldliness (vv.18-19).
4.3. There is the law of sin at war against the law of God and always seeks to control the life of a believer (vv.20-23).
4.4. Looking at the standpoint of the law of sin, we are truly wretched to the core but we have this joy and freedom through Christ Jesus our Lord who each day delivers us from being controlled by sin

CONCLUSION

Daily we are at war against sin. Our enemies—the self, the world and the devil are all around us and in us. They are all one in pursuit to control and make us miserable. But praises and thanks be to the Lord who through His Spirit indwells us and gives us the strength, power and victory over sin. And yes, it is a struggle but let us find joy and strength knowing that the Lord understands, comforts, cleanses, pardons, delivers and empowers us. Blessed be God that giveth us this victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!

—BMA’s Messages 06.12.16