O Wretched Man That I Am!
Romans 7:14-25 (NASB):
14For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin.
15For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate.
16But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good.
17So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.
18For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not.
19For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want.
20But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.
21I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good.
22For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man,
23but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members.
24Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?
25Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin.
Been pondering on this passage for a little while now... it may seem a little schizophrenic at first, but in reality it's a question that faces many people (both Christians and non-Christians who relate it to the Christians that they know). People often ask, "Why is it that as Christians we still sin?" Well the answer to that is basically found in that passage there. But what I've been thinking about is this: today we recognize that our actions are governed by our choices. Even science tells us that our brain sends signals through motor neurones to our muscles, which causes those muscles to contract and results in what we call "motion". Except for certain rare occasions (which we normally term "spasms", although more severe forms such as epilepsy and schizophrenia also exist), we are almost fully in control of our actions - not counting, of course, the vital functions such as breathing and heartbeat which are controlled automatically by the body. Having said that, I remind all of you, my dear readers, that sin is not merely in the physical, material, "action" realm, i.e. it's not just by "doing" sin that we sin - but rather, thoughts and beliefs can also be sin.
If, then, Paul (and I believe that it applies to all Believers who have repented, too) says that with his mind he serves the law of God, but with his flesh he serves the law of sin, and we recognize that actions come as a result of choice, can it be then that Paul, even Paul, chose to sin? Or was he just schizophrenic? (For argument's sake, I'll assume that he wasn't for the rest of this discussion) If he chose to sin, then our conscious, decision-making selves (i.e our mind, brain and body) are part of what what is termed "flesh" which serves the law of sin. If so, then what is this "inner man" which serves the law of God? I used to think that this "inner man" was any part of us which is not physical (which meant that our thoughts and choices were part of this inner man too). But if that is so, then by Paul's statement we would never sin, would we? So this "inner man" must exclude our thoughts and physical choices (choices to act, that is), and it is this inner man that is redeemed from sin while our flesh serves the law of sin. (By the way, I'm not condoning sin here - I'm merely assuming that we as humans can never fully rid ourselves of sin). Think about it. Even judicial systems recognize that if you had no control over your actions, you cannot be penalised for having committed a crime (I think?).
So, here's some questions I'd like to leave with you and if you've got any answers to them, please feel free to discuss them with me or with other people that you know would benefit from such a discussion. Firstly, this "inner man" that has been redeemed - can he still sin? If yes, how does he sin? And how does he stay out of sin? Or if no, then does that mean we are saved forever? And if that were true, then what is the meaning of
"For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins" (Heb 10:26, NASB)?
14For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin.
15For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate.
16But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good.
17So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.
18For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not.
19For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want.
20But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.
21I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good.
22For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man,
23but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members.
24Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?
25Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin.
Been pondering on this passage for a little while now... it may seem a little schizophrenic at first, but in reality it's a question that faces many people (both Christians and non-Christians who relate it to the Christians that they know). People often ask, "Why is it that as Christians we still sin?" Well the answer to that is basically found in that passage there. But what I've been thinking about is this: today we recognize that our actions are governed by our choices. Even science tells us that our brain sends signals through motor neurones to our muscles, which causes those muscles to contract and results in what we call "motion". Except for certain rare occasions (which we normally term "spasms", although more severe forms such as epilepsy and schizophrenia also exist), we are almost fully in control of our actions - not counting, of course, the vital functions such as breathing and heartbeat which are controlled automatically by the body. Having said that, I remind all of you, my dear readers, that sin is not merely in the physical, material, "action" realm, i.e. it's not just by "doing" sin that we sin - but rather, thoughts and beliefs can also be sin.
If, then, Paul (and I believe that it applies to all Believers who have repented, too) says that with his mind he serves the law of God, but with his flesh he serves the law of sin, and we recognize that actions come as a result of choice, can it be then that Paul, even Paul, chose to sin? Or was he just schizophrenic? (For argument's sake, I'll assume that he wasn't for the rest of this discussion) If he chose to sin, then our conscious, decision-making selves (i.e our mind, brain and body) are part of what what is termed "flesh" which serves the law of sin. If so, then what is this "inner man" which serves the law of God? I used to think that this "inner man" was any part of us which is not physical (which meant that our thoughts and choices were part of this inner man too). But if that is so, then by Paul's statement we would never sin, would we? So this "inner man" must exclude our thoughts and physical choices (choices to act, that is), and it is this inner man that is redeemed from sin while our flesh serves the law of sin. (By the way, I'm not condoning sin here - I'm merely assuming that we as humans can never fully rid ourselves of sin). Think about it. Even judicial systems recognize that if you had no control over your actions, you cannot be penalised for having committed a crime (I think?).
So, here's some questions I'd like to leave with you and if you've got any answers to them, please feel free to discuss them with me or with other people that you know would benefit from such a discussion. Firstly, this "inner man" that has been redeemed - can he still sin? If yes, how does he sin? And how does he stay out of sin? Or if no, then does that mean we are saved forever? And if that were true, then what is the meaning of
"For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins" (Heb 10:26, NASB)?
posted by Ainsley at 4:18 PM
1 Comments:
Hello... I was blog hopping as until I came upon your entry. I must say, it's quite a common question and one that's quite easily misunderstood and misinterpreted, so I thought I'd just give my 2 cents worth because I was searching for the very same thing once before. You haven’t updated in a while either, so I hope and pray that you’ll see this or I just wasted an hour writing this. =P Just kidding. It’s helpful for me too to write this out. Read as much or as little of it as you want, but for maximum effect, check the Bible for yourself to see what it says by going through the references I gave you. Talk to your pastor too if you’ve got other questions. ^_^
Anyway. Let’s get started.
Forgive me for saying this, but I feel that you've analysed the Bible in a rather tenuous way. =P The passages quoted no doubt seem to suggest that there we are hopelessly bound to sin and we seem to have no choice BUT to sin. However, the problem with the analysis is that the passage has been taken out of context. One of the main causes of biblical misinterpretation is reading more or less of the passage than it was intending to say. I find that many people seem to hear a passage they like and then base their theological understanding on it without really finding out its full meaning. As such, I’ve chosen to answer your questions in the sequence you’ve asked them.
***Firstly, this "inner man" that has been redeemed - can he still sin?***
Of course he can. You’ve never seen a sinless Christian have you? Those who say that they are sinless are lying to themselves. 1 John 1:8-10 says, “8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.”
***If yes, how does he sin?***
First things first. What is this thing called ‘sin’? It’s a big, dirty, three letter word. And I mean really BIG. The common understanding of sin is doing something naughty, like lying, cheating, stealing, murdering, slandering, lusting, disobeying parents etc. However, those are merely sins (plural form), individual acts of disobedience towards God’s commands. For each of those misdemeanours, you can find at least one passage in the Bible that speaks against doing such things, but the main clincher is that these acts are symptoms of a larger disease, called SIN. Sin was introduced into the world when Eve reached for the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 3). In fact, some say it began when she THOUGHT about it (pretty harsh huh). It wasn’t so much that Eve ate from the tree, but instead it was the act of deciding for herself that it was what SHE wanted to do that mattered, rather than what God wanted her to do. She was in effect, ‘grasping for equality with God’ (compare with Philippians 2:5-7, which talks about Jesus, who did not sin). Eve had placed her own prerogative ahead of God; she believed what she was doing was right and she was fulfilling her own desires rather than God’s, and hence, she rebelled against God’s will and thus sinned against God. The ‘sins’ portion was the taking of the fruit, but the ‘sin’ portion was Eve’s making of her own rules for her own life. And it is the same for everyone of us too; we are broken in our relationship with God and as such, we need healing to restore this relationship before we can even begin knowing what God’s will for our lives is. Enter Jesus Christ.
***And how does he stay out of sin? Or if no, then does that mean we are saved forever?***
Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins and rose from the dead (1 Cor. 15:1-4) All who would believe in Him would have everlasting life and escape the judgment of God upon those who have sinned against Him (John 3:16-18). Because of this saving work of Christ, we are now ‘justified’ To be justified is to be made righteous. It is a divine act where God declares the sinner to be innocent of his sins. It is not that the sinner is now sinless, but that he is "declared" sinless. This justification is based on the shed blood of Jesus, "...having now been justified by His blood..." (Rom. 5:9). It was the common understanding of the word in Roman courts when the bible was written. Justification, even in a secular context, meant the declaration of someone as having no wrongdoing.
Salvation is a gift (Rom. 6:23) that cannot be earned. We are justified by faith (Rom. 5:1) apart from the works of the Law (Rom. 3:28), meaning that we cannot earn our own salvation. This is the basic salvation message that every believer MUST know. I apologise if you feel that you already know this, but bear with me. =P
So if we’re declared sinless, how do we stay sinless? We can’t. But we can try, by the grace of God. Sanctification follows justification. In justification our sins are completely forgiven in Christ. Sanctification is the process by which the Holy Spirit makes us more like Christ in all that we do, think, and desire. Hence, we must acknowledge that God has made us blameless in his sight, but as the Romans 7:14-25 passage tells us, we still have a sinful nature within us but the Holy Spirit works within us to overcome these areas of our lives one by one. Hence, being a Christian is all about being available to God to allow Him to change us from within. (Romans 12:1-2) We have to present our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God. Not so much because we want to be ‘good’, while that is indeed a most worthwhile goal, but we want to be brought into the will of God once again, and we cannot do it by ourselves – we need God’s Spirit to transform us by the renewing of our minds. This is what makes Christianity different from say, Buddhism, which says that we have to do good for its own sake.
The conclusion is therefore that we are saved by grace through faith. But once we are saved, we are to work out our salvation, that is, to do good works to bring glory to God (Philippians 2:11-13). The sinful nature will persist until we die and go to heaven or until Jesus comes again, but meanwhile, we can rest in the assurance that as we surrender our lives to God and let His Spirit change us, we are still saved. (Jeremiah 31:31-34, Hebrews 10:15-25)
***And if that were true, then what is the meaning of "For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins" (Heb 10:26, NASB)?***
Some Christians seem to think that they are not worthy to be Christians because they’re such terrible sinners. And guess what, they’re right! As mentioned above, we are saved by grace, which is the UNDESERVED favour of God. But we are saved also through faith! Which means all we needed to do to be saved was to believe and confess, then we’ll be saved. Romans 10:8-10 says, “8But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,"[a] that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: 9That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” That’s the beauty of God’s salvation plan. We couldn’t do it by ourselves; we can never hope to reach God’s standards on our own, which is why we need Jesus Christ!
Hence, if we take the Heb 10:26 passage at face value, we insult God by saying that we can somehow overturn Jesus’ work on the cross by ourselves! What’s the problem then? WE HAVE TO READ THE BIBLE IN CONTEXT! =D
If you read the whole of Hebrews 10), you will find that the passage does not refer to us losing our salvation because we’re sinning, but in fact, it’s just a justification against the use of bulls and goats or other animals as an atonement for sin. The author of Hebrews wrote that section to counter any claims that the Jews were somehow exempt from believing in Jesus for their salvation. Verses 1 to 14 describe the ancient process of Israel’s sacrificial system, which acted only as a reminder of their sin, unable to take away their sin. In fact, if you looked at verses 15 to 25, we see the same phrase used in verse 18 “And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin.” But the verses before and after give us hope. “19Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”
So what does Hebrews 10:26 REALLY say? Well, it says what it says. “For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins” If Israel depended on bulls and goats to take away their sins, then they were going to be disappointed. They however, had the benefit of having a true Saviour on the horizon, Jesus Christ. For us on the other hand, after Jesus Christ, there isn’t going to be another messiah. Jesus is all we need and all we will ever have.
What will we have if not a second saviour? Following verse 26, verses 27 to 31 say that we have: 27but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. 28Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? 30For we know him who said, "It is mine to avenge; I will repay,"[d] and again, "The Lord will judge his people."[e] 31It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
This is a warning against contempt for Jesus’ salvation work. We are not to treat our salvation lightly and use it anyway we wish even though we are saved. Paul speaks vehemently on this as well in Romans 6. This passage does not make mention of us ‘losing our salvation’ just because we deliberately sin even after being saved. However, it does warn us against the danger of using our freedom under Christ as a license to sin, because it says that a man who does so “deserves to be punished”. We cannot interpret it any other way in light of what the rest of Scripture tells us.
Conclusion
The problem with understanding the Bible is that we sometimes take passages out of the context they were written in. A number of Christians tragically have a poor grasp on the reading and interpretation of the Bible. We were saved by grace, God’s undeserved favour on us. We were saved also by faith, that we believed God, and not through works, such that we could earn our salvation by ‘being good’, nor can we lose it by ‘being bad’. The Bible clearly says that we’re all equally bad anyway (Romans 3:23). We will continue sinning, and we will continue disobeying God until we die. We must however, submit our attitudes, bodies, minds and souls to God and allow Him to change us so that we can be transformed through His Holy Spirit to do His will. That is how we are different from unbelievers. Not because of our works or our deeds alone, but by our faith and belief in the salvation of God.
Well, that’s it. I hope you got something out of this because I know I did. Like I said before, you should talk to your pastor if you have any more questions. I put down my blog address in case you wanted to ask more or just comment on what I said. God bless!
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