Dave's Diary

Daily Readings: Romans 7 and Psalm 103

Romans 7 is a very complicated chapter.

In v.1-6, Paul’s argument continues along the same vein as Romans 6 and argues, metaphorically, that by one’s baptism one shares in the death of Christ. Then he adds the metaphor of marriage, and argues that before faith in Christ one was married to the law, but now, having “died” to one’s old self, one is set free from all obligations to the law and becomes free to “marry” again. This time one “marries” Christ, through one’s saving faith in Him. When that happens, Christian obedience becomes, not an externally imposed obedience to some written code of laws, but an inner allegiance of one’s spirit to Jesus Christ. (He’ll have more to day about this in Romans 8).

In v.7-14, Paul makes the argument that if one perfectly kept the law, one would be in a perfect relationship with God and with others, so the law is inherently good and holy. It is designed, when obeyed, to bring about our highest welfare (individually and socially). And yet the fact remains that every human being (bar Jesus) has proved utterly incapable of obeying the law. In reality, we all fall short and all experience the guilt, shame and spiritual death of our failure to obey. This is the state from which we need to be set free.

Finally, v.14-24 paints an even more desperate picture of the human need for salvation. It is a powerful description of the frustrating inability of human beings to save ourselves from the power of sin. We can all identify so easily with the powerlessness described in v.15: 

I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.

His chapter-long argument for our desperate need of a Saviour from beyond ourselves comes to a climax with the heart cry:”²⁴ What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?” In other words: No human being can save oneself! Who will do it for us?

And then (soon to be expanded in Romans 8) the glory of the answer begins: ²⁵ Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!“

Life application: Is there some abiding sin in your life from which you have proven yourself incapable of breaking free in your own strength? Choose to put it to death. Bring it to Jesus Christ, surrender it to Him (again). Sincerely and deliberately surrender even that part of your life to His Lordship. Ask Him to cut it off from you and to set you free.