(Romans 7:15 – NASB)
“O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?”
(Romans 7:24 – KJV)
Sound familiar? Whether you’ve been a Christian for forty hours or forty years, the frustration with our own inability to actually live the Christian life at times can be simply overwhelming. In fact, it seems to deepen as the journey goes on. On the one hand, the more we grow in Christ, the more we get clarity about who He is and what it’s like to walk with Him on this narrow path to heaven. On the other hand the more we grow in Christ, the more we get clarity about who are, and our utter inability to do that which is pleasing in His sight; “to walk in a manner worthy” of our calling (Eph 4:1). Surely the counsel of Solomon is applicable here… “for in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow” (Ecc 1:18 – KJV).
I chose to sight Romans 7:24 in the KJV here because I believe it best illustrates the weight of despair that Paul is endeavoring to convey here. It also conveys a sentiment that I can best relate to. The utter frustration with my own repeated failure to obey Gods word. The levels of discouragement that feel when I fail to regularly think, to act, and to respond to others as I should. The weight of influence that my own self-centeredness still carries and wields in my life is truly disturbing, and I am appalled and heartily ashamed of it when I consider how often I am willing to forsake the needs of others for the comforts of myself. How upset I can become when I am asked to serve another, when I had planned to serve myself.
Truly the conflict between the Spirit and the flesh is so intense and discouraging at times, that if it wasn’t for the redeeming power of the Holy Spirit in my life that saved and is sanctifying me, I don’t see how I would ever stay the course on this narrow path to heaven, nor even want to.
When I got saved years ago, I didn’t know about this battle that would ensue between Gods Holy Spirit inside me and my own flesh. I didn’t know anything about the Christian life. I did know that I was certainly capable of messing up my own life, repeatedly. I also knew that I never knew anyone that loved me enough to die for me, to pay the penalty for my sin against Him, so that I wouldn’t have to. The simply gospel can produce profound results (Acts 10), of which I also can bear witness.
Yet the battle rages on, and although I can bear witness to the transforming power of God in my life, there are times when the failures are overwhelming. Why did He choose to do it this way? – this long drawn out process of being conformed into the image of Christ? (2 Cor 3:18). Why not just an immediate transformation (Phil 3:21)? Certainly I could be more useful to Christ, and not so often dejected because of my own repeated failures?
The short answer is that there is so much more that God would have us learn though the process of sanctification (of becoming more like our Savior). Patience, love, forgiveness, self-control, dependence on God, repentance and restoration of ourselves so that we can be used of God to encourage and restore others (Luke 22:32,33). The amazing thing is that He chooses to use broken people.
Redeemed, but still broken. A new creation (2 Cor 5:17), but still residing in this decaying, earthly tent (2 Cor 4:16; 5:1). Why? Paul tells us… “so that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God, and not of ourselves” (2 Cor 4:7).
But I’d like to get back to this issue of why it is that this battle between “the inner man”(Rom 7:22) in whom the Spirit of God dwells (Rom 8:9), and the flesh is so intense, and so often ends in failure, at least from our prospective. I’d also like to try to unpack how it is that the Spirit of Christ inside us (Rom 8:9), brings about obedience to His word. How it is that the fruit of His Spirit within us can actually be displayed. So many thoughts here to address, so let’s try and get them ordered.
1. As a redeemed Christian, we are a “new creature”(2 Cor 5:17), in-dwelt by Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God and the Spirit of Christ (Rom 8:9-11), and are led by His Spirit within us (Rom 8:14; Gal 5:18). “His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness”(2 Pet 1:3), that is, we have everything we need to “grow up into all aspects of Him (Eph 4:15). So, just so we’re clear, any failures? That’s on us. He has throughly equipped us, and set us up for success. So why then the failures? I would suggest some additional factors for your consideration…
2. The Spirit of God inside us doesn’t shout. As Isaiah was keen to point out…“Your ears will hear a word behind you, “This is the way, walk in it,” whenever you turn to the right or to the left (Isaiah 30:21). He doesn’t shout, but He does speak. Sometimes rather quietly, like the “sound of a gentle blowing”(1 Kin 19:12), or sometimes much more pronounced, as He does though out the Scriptures (A good example of this would be found in the first eight chapters of Proverbs through the appeals of “Wisdom” and the “father”). Our accusing conscience speaks loudly, nay screams at us at times. But He doesn’t; and although He often speaks quietly, we are able to hear Him when He does (Rom 8:16).
It’s often hard to hear someone speaking quietly in a room filled with load noise, and I would dare say that this is the world in which we live. It loudly clamors for you attention, like all of those depicted in Bunyan’s Vanity Fair.1 Make the decision to turn off the noise and put on a quieter selection like the Word of God.
3. We aren’t taking the necessary steps to actually “fight the good fight” of the faith (1 Tim 1:18,19). Many people seem to think that “once saved,’ they can just take their ease and leisurely stroll their way into the kingdom of God. I can understand that approach if they’re on the “broad road” that accommodates all their stuff and the desires of their hearts. But the broad road doesn’t go to heaven, even though the sign post my say so. No, Jesus spoke of the “narrow way that leads to life, and few there are that find it (Matt 7:14). He spoke of the need to “strive to enter the narrow door, for many… will seek to enter will not be able” (Luke 13;24).
Entrance into the kingdom of God certainly requires a work of God to do so (John 3:3); and once done, He will continue to “will and to work”(Phil 2:13) in the heart of that individual new desires for things that please God, and an increasing hatred for things that are an offense to Him (Rom 7:15-25). But our unredeemed flesh is tenacious, and never gives up. Thus the battle.
But we can take steps to fight it and win more often and lose. Paul encouraged the Corinthians to “run in such a way that you may win” (1 Cor 9:24). The writer of Hebrews called us to “lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith”(Heb 12:1,2). Paul appealed to the Christians in Rome to “lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. – Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. – But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts” (Rom 13:12-14). Paul told the Ephesians to “take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm’ (Eph 6:13).
To do so requires a concerted intention and resolve to do so. To say no to the desires of “the flesh,” and yes to the leading of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Paul said… “I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; – but I buffet my body and make it my slave, lest possibly, after I have preached to others, I myself should be disqualified” (1 Cor 9:26,27). That’s concerted effort and intention. We expect self disciple (which is a fruit of the Spirit – Gal 5:23), to be exercised in the life of one who desires to become an accomplished athlete, artist, dancer, musician, or doctor; should we not also expect that the same will be required to be victorious over the enemies of our soul? “Lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us.” Ask God to give you a resolve to identify and jettison the excess baggage in your life that just slows you down; as well as the wisdom to stay clear of the sin that continues to trip you up. Take a different path.
4. We’re likely thinking that we can handle this ourselves. Our prayer life is likely becoming shallow, infrequent, and cold. I have often found that when I am confident that I can handle something, that I’m less inclined to ask God for the help to do so. Big mistake! “The flesh profits nothing”(John 6:63). “Ok, big things? I should ask God for help with the big things, right? But what about the little things like patience with others? Knowing when to shut my mouth? Selflessly serving another who has a need? Do I need to ask God for little things like that?” What do you think?
The Psalms are replete with the prayers of the saints crying out for Divine assistance stay the course and keep the faith. We saw that when we looked at 119. No, Jesus told us to “ask’ (Matt 7:7), and to do so with earnestness and tenacity (Luke 18:1-8). He also told us to “Pray that you may not enter into temptation” (Luke 22:40). The biblical model is not that of a rugged individual blazing the trail by himself. We are utterly dependent upon God for everything in this life; indeed it is “by Him that we live and move and have our being” (Act 17:28); how much more shall we need His divine assistance in “fighting the deeds of the flesh?” (Rom 8:13). At the end of Pauls counsel regarding this struggle that we have, that “is not against flesh and blood”(Eph 6:10-18), he said “with all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints” (vs 18).
Yet this is not our only resource that the Lord expects us to use. To be sure Ephesians 6:14-18 unpacks the various aspects of the armor we need to put on for the battle. However I’d like to point out another asset that’s available to us, and we see it here on display at the end of Ephesians 6. Pauls asks the church to “pray for all the saints, and pray on my behalf” also (vs 18,19). He also highlights that he sent Tychicus to them “so that you may know about us, and that he may comfort your hearts” (vs 22). This is the asset of the body of Christ, and the benefits of being apart of His body are replete throughout the NT.
God never intended to fight this fight this alone. The body of Christ of divinely equipped to minister to “one another” through His Spirit (Rom 12; 1 Cor 12-14). This ministry is vitally important to our spiritual well being. The writer of Hebrews told those Christians in his letter…”Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near” (Heb 10:23-25).
Remember the words of Christ to Peter…”Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers”(Luke 22:31,32). Even after a fall, particularly after a fall, “strengthen for brothers,” for in doing so the Lord will strengthen you in the process.
Long term isolation is never wise. “He who separates himself seeks his own desire, He quarrels against all sound wisdom” (Prov 18:1). As Callahan said… ”A man’s got to know his limitations.”2
The greater our clarity regarding our own propensities and limitations; the greater our prayer life and participation in the life of the body of Christ will increase. Just remember… “Admission is the first step of recovery.”3
5. We are prone for forget the time of affliction that God uses to teach us to follow Him. Remember the words of the Psalmist in 119…”Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep Thy word”(vs 67). “It is good for me that I was afflicted, That I may learn Thy statutes” (71). God often brings affliction into our lives when we go astray, that we may learn to “keep Thy word.” The sad thing is that we often forget those times of affliction and the reason that they were needed, and slide back into the same sins again, just like the nation of Israel did. The danger of doing so, is that forgotten lessons just half to be repeated again, and that painful.
As the old adage goes…”You’ll never change your behavior until the pain of staying the same becomes greater than the pain of change.”4 We need to remember the painful lessons that the Lord gave us for our good. I have personally found this very helpful when facing a fresh temptation to do something again that I know I shouldn’t. I can remember not only the pain of disciplinary affliction, but also the sorrow and anguish of having sinned against my Lord again, and tell myself…”It’s not worth it!” Remember also the heyday that your conscience will have with you if you do. “Don’t do it.” ”It’s not worth it!”
Certainly there is a place for a godly sorrow for the sin in our lives. Indifference to it or minimizing the significants of it clearly isn’t the way to go. Seems that David understood this when he said….”Against Thee, Thee only, I have sinned, and done what is evil in Thy sight” (Ps 51:4). He understood that his sin was ultimately against God and Him alone. His sin against God was a weighty matter indeed. Thus we see the extent of his contrition and repentance throughout this great psalm. In fact he highlights they valuable place that they hold before God when he says…”For Thou dost not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it; Thou art not pleased with burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise”(Ps 51:16,17).
Paul highlights the value of a “sorrow that is according to the will of God that produces a repentance without regret, leading tosalvation and restoration (2 Cor 7;10), as we saw with some of the members of the Corinthian church. There is great value in remembering what we have been delivered from (Eph 2:11,12), as well as the sorrow and affliction of those corrective measures of God for our good, lest we forget them, and just have to go through them again.
I’m reminded of the counsel of Peter…”Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousals, drinking parties and abominable idolatries” (1 Pet 4:1-3). Whether 40 minutes or 40 years, that was sufficient, that was enough.
”Therefore what benefit were you then deriving from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the outcome of those things is death. But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom 6:21-23).
“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (2 Cor 9:15)
Footnotes:
- The Pilgrims Progress – John Bunyan
- Harry Callahan – Magnum Force
- Alcoholics Anonymous – The Twelve Steps
- Often attributed to Tony Robbins