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SCRIPTURE PASSAGE

We know that the law is spiritual, but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do, I do not do. But what I hate, I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I admit that the law is good. In that case, it is no longer I who do it, but sin living in me that does it.

I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh, for I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. I do not do the good I want to do. Instead, I keep on doing the evil I do not want to do. And if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it; it is sin living in me that does it.

So this is the principle I have discovered: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law. But I see another law at work in my body, warring against the law of my mind and holding me captive to the law of sin that dwells within me.

What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God, through Jesus Christ our Lord!

Romans 7:14-24 is a poignant and deeply personal passage in which Paul vividly captures the inner struggle between the desire to do good and the reality of human frailty. This passage resonates with believers because it mirrors our own wrestling with sin and the pull of the flesh.

However, it is essential to recognise that this discussion is framed within two vital bookends: Romans 1, where Paul addresses identity (saints not sinners), and Romans 12, where he calls for personal participation in surrendering to God and renewal of the mind. These bookends provide the context and framework for understanding Paul’s exploration of the human condition, the transformative power of God’s grace and the prescribed method to access said grace.

The Anatomy of the Struggle

Paul’s description of the struggle reveals several key dynamics:

1. The Knowledge of Good: Paul’s description of the desire to do good reflects the moral compass provided by the law and the Spirit’s work. The law, like a mirror, revels sin but cannot “clean” it.
2. The Power of Sin: Despite this desire, sin operates as a force that enslaves, undermining the will. It’s aphorme (base of operations, Romans 7:8) is situated in the flesh.
3. The Cry for Deliverance: Paul’s lament points to the insufficiency of human effort on its own and the need for divine intervention. However, for divine intervention to operate, it requires active human participation.

IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER

• Christian life is not marked by perfection but by perseverance.
• The struggle is real, but so is the victory that Christ has secured.
• We are saved by God’s goodness, not ours.
• God’s goodness must be received to be experienced.

Romans 1: The Foundation of Identity

In Romans 1, Paul lays the groundwork by addressing the core identity of believers. He refers to us as “saints” (hagios)—a term that signifies being set apart, holy, and consecrated for God. Since all scripture is inspired by God, this is not just Paul’s considered opinion but exactly how God views us (2 Timothy 3:14-16). This declaration is not based on human achievement (our goodness or performance) but on the grace and righteousness of God, imputed to us through Christ.

Paul reminds his audience that their identity is no longer rooted in their past failures, sins, or even in their cultural or religious heritage. Instead, their identity is firmly established in their new position as God’s children, called to reflect His holiness.

This emphasis on identity is crucial because it sets the stage for understanding the internal conflict described in Romans 7. Assuming the correct identity in this struggle is not just important—it is crucial—since it shapes the very core of our motivations and behaviors. If I mistakenly see myself as merely a sinner saved by grace, I will inevitably bow to the pull of sin, living as though its power still holds sway. But if I embrace the truth that I am a saint—redeemed, renewed, and set apart—my heart will be drawn toward holiness, submitting to the transformative work of grace.

The identity you claim determines the life you live, since we always live from our identities, not toward them. Even as believers struggle with sin, their true identity remains as saints. This tension between identity and experience is central to the Christian life and provides hope that the battle is not fought alone but within the context of God’s ongoing work of sanctification.

Romans 7: The Inner Struggle

In Romans 7:14-24, Paul uses vivid and relatable language to describe the believer’s inner conflict:

• “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do, I do not do, but what I hate, I do.” (Romans 7:15)
• “Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me.” (Romans 7:21)

This passage captures the universal experience of the Christian life: the tension between the regenerate spirit, which desires to obey God, and the flesh, which remains inclined toward sin. Paul acknowledges the law as good and holy, yet he laments his inability to fully uphold it due to the weakness of his sinful nature. This struggle underscores the need for grace and points to the insufficiency of human effort apart from Christ.

Paul’s cry in Romans 7:24, “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?”, serves as a turning point. It acknowledges the depth of the struggle while simultaneously directing the believer’s attention to the hope of deliverance in Christ.

Romans 12: Personal Participation and Transformation

Romans 12 marks a pivotal shift from doctrine to practice, calling believers to respond to God’s mercy with wholehearted surrender:

• “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” (Romans 12:1)
• “Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:2)

This passage reveals the antidote to the struggle described in Romans 7: a life of intentional surrender and transformation. The “renewing of the mind” is not a one-time event but an ongoing spiritual discipline. It involves aligning our thoughts, desires, and actions with God’s truth, allowing His Spirit to shape us from the inside out. This renewal enables believers to live out their identity as saints and to overcome the pull of the flesh through the power of the Spirit.

The call to “offer your bodies as a living sacrifice” emphasises the holistic nature of worship. It is not confined to spiritual practices but encompasses every aspect of life, including how we think, act, and relate to others. This sacrificial living is a response to God’s mercy, a tangible expression of gratitude and devotion.

The Bigger Picture: Identity, Struggle, and Surrender

When viewed within the framework of Romans 1 and Romans 12, the discussion in Romans 7 becomes part of a larger narrative of identity, struggle, and surrender:

1. Identity (Romans 1): Believers are saints, set apart for God, not defined by their struggles but by their position in Christ.
2. Struggle (Romans 7): The internal conflict is real but not definitive. It highlights the ongoing need for grace and the work of the Spirit.
3. Surrender (Romans 12): Transformation comes through active participation—offering ourselves to God and allowing His Spirit to renew our minds and guide our lives.

This progression reflects the journey of sanctification, where believers grow in holiness and increasingly live out their true identity in Christ. The struggle is not a sign of failure but a mark of the Spirit’s work, drawing us closer to God and shaping us into His likeness.

Practical Takeaways

• Embrace Your Identity: Remember that you are a saint, not because of your performance but because of Christ’s work. Let this truth anchor you in moments of struggle.
• Acknowledge the Struggle: Recognise that the tension between the flesh and the spirit is a normal part of the Christian journey. It points to your need for God and His transformative power.
• Commit to Renewal: Actively participate in the process of sanctification through prayer, Scripture meditation, and surrender to the Spirit’s guidance.
• Live Sacrificially: Offer your whole self—body, soul, and spirit—as an act of worship, allowing God to use you.
• Set yourself apart in prayer: God promised that if we ceased (rested) from our own effort to be good, and come to Him so that He can make us good. He will do so (Exodus 31:13).

By framing Romans 7 within the context of Romans 1 and 12, we gain a clearer understanding of the believer’s journey. It is a journey marked by identity, shaped by struggle, and ultimately transformed through surrender. In this, we see the beauty of God’s redemptive work, drawing us ever closer to the fullness of life in Him.

DEVOTIONAL PRAYER

God, I come before you, acknowledging the truth of your Word and the complex journey of faith it describes.

• I thank you that, despite my struggles, you have declared me a saint (hagios), set apart for your purposes. This identity, rooted in your grace and righteousness, is my firm foundation, not my past failures or cultural heritage.
• I confess the internal battle described in Romans 7. I often find myself doing what I hate and failing to do the good I desire. I recognise the tension between my regenerate spirit and the pull of my flesh and acknowledge my need for your divine intervention. I am aware of the power of sin to enslave and undermine my will.
• I seek your help to actively participate in my sanctification by offering myself to you as a living sacrifice, as described in Romans 12. I pray for the renewal of my mind, so that my thoughts, desires, and actions align with your truth.
• Help me to see every aspect of my life as an act of worship, allowing your Spirit to shape me from the inside out. I surrender my body, soul, and spirit to be used for your purposes.
• I embrace the reality that the struggles I face are not a sign of failure but a mark of your Spirit working in me, drawing me closer to you. I thank you for the victory secured by Christ.
• In light of this, I set my self apart for you right now in this time prayer so that you can sanctify me as you promised you would.

I am grateful for your redemptive work in my life, and I look forward to growing in holiness as I journey with you. Help me to surrender to your guidance each day.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

• How does the understanding that believers are “saints” (hagios) and set apart for God, as described in Romans 1, impact how you view your struggles with sin? How does this understanding shape your identity in Christ, rather than being rooted in past failures or cultural heritage?
• Considering the struggle described in Romans 7, how do you see the tension between your desire to do good and your inclination towards sin? How does acknowledging this tension point to the need for God’s grace and transformative power in your life?
• In light of Romans 12, what practical steps can you take to actively participate in the process of sanctification, such as renewing your mind and offering your body as a living sacrifice? How can you align your thoughts and actions with God’s truth?
• How can you apply the idea of “living sacrificially” and making every aspect of your life an act of worship as described in Romans 12?
• Reflecting on the overall narrative of identity, struggle, and surrender, as framed by Romans 1, 7, and 12, how does this understanding help you to view your journey with God, and to see the struggle not as a sign of failure but as a mark of the Spirit’s work?
• Am I still attempting to save myself from the existential crises in the world, or am I resting in God’s presence, trusting that He is more than enough?