The Wretched iMan of Romans 7

[CGMedley]

Few people feel so miserable as to describe themselves as a wretch. But the Apostle did. Here's a biblical study that appears in this week's Adventist Review.

Read more.

http://www.adventistreview.org/issue.php?issue=2012-1502&page=20

[Gibs]

CGM,

I for one don't go along with that man's teaching no way shape or form.

But to each his own. Am interrested in others take on it, will be watching.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[cheddar]

I actually liked this article and agree with most of the author’s conclusions.

Romans 7 is a picture of the newly converted. Paul didn’t start out as the great apostle, he had to grow in his experience just like every other christian.

Before conversion sin is a pleasurable experience not one that is loathed as in Romans 7.

After conversion the Holy Spirit comes into our lives and begins the process of showing us all the sins in our heart that we still cling to.

Depending on our cooperation with the Holy Spirit this can be a short painful process or a long painful process. Giving up cherished sin will always be painful.

Romans 8 represents the end of the journey where all sin is removed and there is no guilt on the conscience. I like this verse from Matthew:

Quote:

It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Matt 4:4

The wretched man struggles to believe all the words that are written in the bible because his enemy the devil has filled the world with lies. The uncondemned man is fully persuaded that all of God’s promises are sure.

[Gibs]

What Paul is bringing out is the way for all to be overcomers in the here and now, and starting with them there after Jesus made the way.

Overcomers now in this life is the time it must be done and there is no way around it. It isn't just believe and you will be saved. The devils believe and tremble.

When Jesus said "Go Sin No More" don't you know He made a way for you to do just that. It is "Christ in You" and the old man is dead and this Paul fully understood as he laid it out clearly. Then He states,

Ro 6:1 ¶ What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

Ro 6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

Ro 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

Ro 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

"Walk in a new Life"! Now!

Col 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[cheddar]

What Paul is bringing out is the way for all to be overcomers in the here and now, and starting with them there after Jesus made the way.

Overcomers now in this life is the time it must be done and there is no way around it. It isn't just believe and you will be saved. The devils believe and tremble.

When Jesus said "Go Sin No More" don't you know He made a way for you to do just that. It is "Christ in You" and the old man is dead and this Paul fully understood as he laid it out clearly. Then He states,

Ro 6:1 ¶ What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

Ro 6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

Ro 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

Ro 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

"Walk in a new Life"! Now!

Col 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

Sounds like your typical Ellen White pep talk.

‘Get out there and overcome sin and if you fail, well just try harder!’

Been there and done that and won’t going back in this lifetime.

If your idea of being an overcomer doesn’t include the word ‘faith’ – you’ll never be one.

[12tribes]

Interesting article. There were people in the early church as mentioned in Acts 15, who were teaching that they had to keep the law of Moses to be saved and Paul quite often addresses this. What a burden to think that we have to keep the Law to be saved but, Paul shows that freedom is found in Christ.

[Gibs]

cheddar,

The faith is employed in knowing His promises are true and that He in you and you are empowered by Him to do His will as you have found out you of yourself cannot and it must be done as only the overcomer will be in the kingdom.

Read, From the mouth of our Saviour Himself.

Re 2:11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death

Re 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

His way is easy, die of self, surrender all, be humbled and fall on the "Rock" and be "broken", your will now His Will and your Love His love. Then He dwells within and you are victorious over the old man you were and Satan and his angels.

Christ now in you the ONLY hope of glory.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.