Romans 7
The meaning of Romans 7 is controversial. The correct understanding of this chapter goes a long way toward clarifying many misconceptions regarding the Christian life. Many believe this chapter simply describes the normal Christian experience. I'm afraid that is often the case. However this is due to an incorrect understanding of how we are supposed to relate to God. Romans 7 speaks of a Christian who has failed to transition from an old covenant way of relating to God to a new covenant experience.
Romans 7 is characterized by the statement in verse 15; "For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do". This results from the frustration of trying to do right simply through a changed mind rather than one motivated by the love they experience as they abide in God's grace. "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit" (Jn 3:6). The person in Romans 7 wants to do right but continues to live in an old covenant moral atmosphere that distorts our relationship with God and actually saps our motivation. That leaves us depending primarily 0n the will, or looking for some sort of magical power that we appropriate by faith. The results are the frustrating cry: "O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?"
The individual in Romans 7 is a carnal or fleshly Christian. That is one who has indeed been converted, but does not live through spiritual power, (resting in God's love and care). They instead depend on the "flesh", using the will to do right, while continuing to have an old covenant relationship to God.
For those who hold to the view that this is the normal Christian life, let's take a closer look at the facts. We will compare the "before spirituality" of Romans 7 with the "after" of Romans 8.
Paul accedes to the fact, in Romans 7:14, that he is a carnal Christian stating, "I am carnal, sold under sin". Now the appropriate status of a Christian is not "sold under sin" but "free from the law of sin" (Rm 8:2 ). In Romans 7:18, the fleshly Christian states; "to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find". However, in Romans 8:4, speaking of the spiritual Christian it states; "that the righteous requirement of the law (good works) might be fulfilled in us". The fleshly, or carnal Christian in Romans 7, is brought "into captivity to the law of sin" (7:23). The spiritual, in Romans 8, is "free from the law of sin" (8:2).
The fleshly Christian lives by their will, with a knowledge of, and a "luke warm" experience with, the love of God. This is due to their failure to switch covenants EXPERIENTIALLY. The spiritual Christian is empowered as they experience life through the new covenant, resting in God's love and care. The covenant you live in will determine your experience.
Copyright Patrick Fagenstrom 12/11, edited 2/13
Romans 7 is characterized by the statement in verse 15; "For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do". This results from the frustration of trying to do right simply through a changed mind rather than one motivated by the love they experience as they abide in God's grace. "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit" (Jn 3:6). The person in Romans 7 wants to do right but continues to live in an old covenant moral atmosphere that distorts our relationship with God and actually saps our motivation. That leaves us depending primarily 0n the will, or looking for some sort of magical power that we appropriate by faith. The results are the frustrating cry: "O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?"
The individual in Romans 7 is a carnal or fleshly Christian. That is one who has indeed been converted, but does not live through spiritual power, (resting in God's love and care). They instead depend on the "flesh", using the will to do right, while continuing to have an old covenant relationship to God.
For those who hold to the view that this is the normal Christian life, let's take a closer look at the facts. We will compare the "before spirituality" of Romans 7 with the "after" of Romans 8.
Paul accedes to the fact, in Romans 7:14, that he is a carnal Christian stating, "I am carnal, sold under sin". Now the appropriate status of a Christian is not "sold under sin" but "free from the law of sin" (Rm 8:2 ). In Romans 7:18, the fleshly Christian states; "to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find". However, in Romans 8:4, speaking of the spiritual Christian it states; "that the righteous requirement of the law (good works) might be fulfilled in us". The fleshly, or carnal Christian in Romans 7, is brought "into captivity to the law of sin" (7:23). The spiritual, in Romans 8, is "free from the law of sin" (8:2).
The fleshly Christian lives by their will, with a knowledge of, and a "luke warm" experience with, the love of God. This is due to their failure to switch covenants EXPERIENTIALLY. The spiritual Christian is empowered as they experience life through the new covenant, resting in God's love and care. The covenant you live in will determine your experience.
Copyright Patrick Fagenstrom 12/11, edited 2/13