Pastor's Corner

Recently, over a four-week period, Wayne taught a series of lessons on Wednesday evenings entitled Flesh vs. Spirit. These lessons are based on Romans 7 & 8. All the lessons are available on CD or tape and I encourage you to purchase your own set. Listen to them often; each lesson is instructive and will be beneficial to your Christian walk. The following is an overview of the content in those lessons and while it describes Paul’s experience, every word is applicable to each one of us. You may recognize your own feelings and struggles described here. You will also find the answer to those issues.

All scripture verses are in KJV, King James Version

In Romans 7:14-24, Paul writes of the frustration caused by the tendency of sin to be present in his life, despite his determination to avoid sin and follow God’s commandments. Paul likens this internal struggle to a war being waged. He attributes this conflict to the fact that all of mankind was born under the curse of sin, doomed to live in unrighteousness, resulting in being condemned to spiritual death. In verse 18 he says, “For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, there dwelleth no good thing.”

Upon gaining knowledge of the Law of God, Paul learned what actions please God and reflect the true nature of God. Paul’s love for God created a desire in Paul to please God and he determines to live according to God’s Law. Paul encounters resistance to this effort, however, and in verses 15 & 16 he writes of his puzzlement in realizing the resistance comes from his own nature. Despite being able to define what is righteous, holy and pleasing to God and determining to live accordingly, Paul is betrayed by his own nature and finds that he is unable to discipline himself to live righteously.

In Romans 7:21 Paul writes, “I find then a law, that when I would do good, evil is present with me.” This law keeps Paul from total transformation and traps him in a life of imperfection. Even though Paul says in verse 22 that the Law of God brings him delight, he is unable to fulfill it because there are two forces at work in him; the Law of Sin and the knowledge of the Law of God. The knowledge of God’s Law instructs and educates him yet does not enable him to have power over the Law of Sin that rules him. This causes him to despair; in Romans 7:24, “O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?”

Beginning in Romans 7:25 Paul rejoices in finding the deliverance through Jesus Christ. “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” He explains how victory over this battle is achieved in Romans 8:1 & 2, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” So we see that deliverance from the condemnation of the Law of Sin is found in Christ as we walk after the Spirit, or in the Spirit.

Deliverance from the Law of Sin comes through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ; His death fulfilled the curse of the Law of Sin. Calvary was more than Jesus taking our place; on the cross He became sin. Romans 8:2&3 explains how Jesus bore the full weight of condemnation, suffered the consequences for sin and paid the price that each person under the Law of Sin was required to pay; death. By paying our debt, Jesus made a way to free us from the curse of the Law of Sin.

Romans 8:5-8 states that those who walk in the flesh cannot please God because our flesh is the enemy of God and cannot be subject to the Law of God. Verse 9 states, “But you are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you.” The deliverance from the curse of the Law of Sin comes from having the Spirit of God, the Holy Ghost, dwell in you. The Spirit of God dwelling in you establishes a new nature in you, the nature of God. This new nature equips you with power to subdue your sinful nature and according to verse 14, identifies you as a child of God.

It is worth remembering that as long as we are living this life, the flesh must be kept under subjection. Paul instructs us in Romans 12: 1&2 to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, suggesting this is an ongoing process that is to become a part of our life. Walk in the Spirit, allowing God to gain control of your life. He will change you from the inside out, transforming you into His image.

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