Further Thought: “There is no safety nor repose nor justification in transgression of the law. Man cannot hope to stand innocent before God, and at peace with Him through the merits of Christ, while he continues in sin.” – Ellen G. White, Selected Messages, book 1, p. 213.
Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com
“Paul desires his brethren to see that the great glory of a sin-pardoning Saviour gave significance to the entire Jewish economy. He desired them to see also that when Christ came to the world, and died as man’s sacrifice, type met antitype.
“After Christ died on the cross as a sin offering the ceremonial law could have no force. Yet it was connected with the moral law, and was glorious. The whole bore the stamp of divinity, and expressed the holiness, justice, and righteousness of God. And if the ministration of the dispensation to be done away was glorious, how much more must the reality be glorious, when Christ was revealed, giving His life – giving, sanctifying, Spirit to all who believe.” – Ellen G. White Comments, The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 6, p. 1095.
Discussion Questions:
- “In 7:25 the Apostle writes: ‘With the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.’ This is the clearest passage of all, and from it we learn that one and the same (believing) person serves at the same time the Law of God and the Law of sin. He is at the same time justified and yet a sinner (simul iustus est et peccat); for he does not say: ‘My mind serves the Law of God’; nor does he say: ‘My flesh serves the Law of sin”; but he says: ‘I myself.’ That is, the whole man, one and the same person, is in this twofold servitude. For this reason he thanks God that he serves the Law of God and he pleads for mercy for serving the Law of sin. But no one can say of a carnal (unconverted) person that he serves the Law of God. The Apostle means to say: You see, it is just so as I said before: The saints (believers) are at the same time sinners while they are righteous. They are righteous, because they believe in Christ, whose righteousness covers them and is imputed to them. But they are sinners, inasmuch as they do not fulfill the Law, and still have sinful lusts. They are like sick people who are being treated by a physician. They are really sick, but hope and are beginning to get, or be made, well. They are about to regain their health. Such patients would suffer the greatest harm by arrogantly claiming to be well, for they would suffer a relapse that is worse (than their first illness).” – Martin Luther, Commentary on Romans, pp. 114, 115. Can we agree with what Luther wrote here or not? In class give reasons for your answers.
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The important thing is to have counciousness of who and what we are. At the same time we are finite and on the line to die, we have Someone who offered Himself to die for us! Daily relationship with such a love, which means the acceptance of His character, may help us cope with the pain and suffering our reality is about!
We have discovered who the man of Romans 7 is this week. Now what can he do to get out of this struggling that is getting him no where? Surrender to Christ. I like one passage brought forth in the book 'Keys to Happiness' chapter 3. "But when the heart yields to the influence of the Spirit of God, the conscience will be quickened, and the sinner will discern something of the depth and sacredness of God’s holy law, the foundation of His government in heaven and on earth. The “Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world,” illumines the secret chambers of the soul, and the hidden things of darkness are made manifest. John 1:9. Conviction takes hold upon the mind and heart. The sinner has a sense of the righteousness of Jehovah and feels the terror of appearing, in his own guilt and uncleanness, before the Searcher of hearts. He sees the love of God, the beauty of holiness, the joy of purity; he longs to be cleansed and to be restored to communion with Heaven...Study God’s word prayerfully. That word presents before you, in the law of God and the life of Christ, the great principles of holiness, without which “no man shall see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14. It convinces of sin; it plainly reveals the way of salvation. Give heed to it as the voice of God speaking to your soul." Christ is the way to salvation. John 14:6.
I would not agree with Luther's interpretation on this passage for several reasons. First, who would interpret someone else's writing by focusing on one fragment of it? Paul gives the answer to this if one stays with what he wrote until the conclusion.
The truly converted person has died to self and no longer lives by the flesh. Instead, they, like Jesus, will live by the Spirit, having denied himself, taken up his cross and followed the Example of Jesus' life and teachings. Notice what Paul concludes in Romans 8:1-7, and then elaborates further in the following verses. We cannot explain Romans 7 without continuing into Romans 8, where Paul presents the conclusion on this subject.
Yes, one might "believe" the law is true and good, but without following the example of Jesus in denying himself and yielding his will to the revealed will of God, he remains unconverted and never achieving victory over self and sin. Too many misread this 7th chapter of Romans when they try to explain it without any reference to Paul's clear conclusion in the chapter following it. Doesn't Peter point out the terrible results of this practice of "wresting" a passage "unto their own destruction"? We must avoid making this mistake in these passages that have stirred up so much controversy, when they are actually quite clear if all that is connected is kept in our consideration.
Robert, are you saying that at conversion, a person's sinful nature is removed so that s/he no longer sins?
"are you saying that at conversion, a person's sinful nature is removed so that s/he no longer sins?"
If so, wouldn't that make us "sinless" liars (1 John 1:8)?
God will keep us from falling completely when we stumble (Psalm 37:23–24; Proverbs 24:16). He has promised.
I like how Ps 119: 165 tells us that "...nothing causes them to stumble", and the promise in Jude of "unto Him who is able to keep you from falling..."
The man of Romans 7 is in a vicious cycle of failing to overcome, while doing what the law condemns. That is the unmistakable language Paul uses. If we continue to read into Romans 8, we see how the victory is gained over this constant failing. This is the result of true conversion. The converted soul will "deny himself, take up his cross and follow [Jesus] who never yielded to temptation. This is the only remedy for sinners to become overcomers, to whom Jesus has promised many wonderful things (Rev 2-3). Not to those trying or hoping to overcome, but to those who overcome. Without this victory over sin in our lives, can we expect to dwell in the presence of the Lord forever? Only those who keep the commandments will have right to the tree of Life and enter into the City of God. Jesus came to make that possible. This is what Paul is telling us here in Romans 1-8. In Romans 7 he is describing the man who is convicted, but not yet converted. Study Romans 8 carefully and see how victory is gained in this life.
To be sinless is the goal. To fulfill that goal is an ambitious notion, that we know with out the help[ of Christ and the Holy Spirit is never going to be a reality. I do not know the definition of denying self that is mention by some as a reality, but there is a constant effort by the tempter Satan to thwart our intentions to live a righteous life. The number of diversions that we encounter on a daily basis is a bit overwhelming and the struggles of Paul In Romans 7, pretty much says it all.
How is believing the promises of God an "ambitious goal"(2 Peter 1:4)? It is only a matter of receiving by faith, and following the Lamb of God wherever He leads, as the Shepherd of our soul. He is faithful to lead us to the green pastures and still waters, and will keep us safe while in the valley of the shadow of death.
Jesus has not yet returned for His people because they have yet to become ready for Him. Truth we have, but victory has yet to be experienced by those professing to be Christ's, or He would have come for them. (Never mind the questions many will often present in response to this, but only ask; "will I be found faithful?")
We either believe, or we don't. It's that simple. Only those who overcome will be received by Jesus at His return. Sinners will not inherit eternal life, as the soul that sins will die. Will Jesus find faith in the earth when He appears? Anyone stuck in the experience of Romans 7 needs to find the experience of Romans 8, which is Paul's answer to the problem in Romans 7.
Can we get a quote from E G White as to whether the man in Romans 7 is a Christian or not,and end the controversy,surely she has something to say on such an important topic.
This is what Ellen White says in Steps to Christ p19:
In terms of your question the answer seems somewhat enigmatic (Ellen White may have wanted us to think about the issue; not provide an "I told you so" answer), but consider this:
1) All committed Christians have the same struggle. It is a sign that God is still interested in us.
2) Romans 7 should never be read without Romans 8. Many of identify with Paul's experience in Romans 7 and we stop reading there. Whoever divided Romans 7 and 8 into two chapters, interrupted the flow. Romans 8 is the answer to those of us who are have feelings of unworthiness. It is the assurance that we are given by Jesus.
Ron have you read Curtis Halls article for this week? Who is the Man of Romans 7? Hit the Mark. Here is the link:
https://ssnet.org/blog/who-is-the-man-of-romans-7-hit-the-mark/