Sin and the Flesh
Notes
Transcript
Chapter 7 sums up the state of man with 3 things that are keeping us from a true living relationship with Christ
Our relationship or subjection to the law (vs 1-6)
The deception of sin that takes occassion against us (7-13)
The carnal flesh that lives within us (14-25)
The relationship to the law was severed when Christ died on the cross for our sins, We die in Christ when we place our faith in him and the relationship with the law is no longer binding
The deception of sin is destroyed when we come to Christ in repentence. We throw away self-righteousness and receive freely the righteousness of Christ
But how do we part ways from the flesh when we must remain in our fleshly bodies?
Our Flesh confirms our fallenness (14-16)
Our Flesh confirms our fallenness (14-16)
I recognize in my carnal mind that there are things that I should do and that I should not do
This is the law written in our hearts (Romans 2:14-16)
There is a universal code of conduct that transends all religions and cultures
However, no matter how much I desire to do right and do better I always fall short
We are in bondage to sin and flesh, sold under sin
Once again confimed that we sin because we are in fact sinners, not vice-versa
Our Flesh proves our lackness (17-23)
Our Flesh proves our lackness (17-23)
When we seek to do right we find a lack of any good thing inside of us
Man is evil from youth (Genesis 6:5, 8:21)
We make promises to ourselves and to others but it makes no difference
This war of our will and our emptiness continues on inside of us
Like a poor drunkard who desires a better life but is in bondage to his flesh
like a bankrupt debtor promising to pay back everything
Our Flesh shows our wretchedness (24-25)
Our Flesh shows our wretchedness (24-25)
As we look to ourselves we can only come away hopeless and empty
We are overwhelmed by sickness and weakness
We are surrounded by evil and war with no way of fixing any of it
So many Hindus have told me there is no way to know if they can have hope in the afterlife
However, if we look to Christ we come away with thanksgiving
Christ takes away all the condemnation (8:1)
This is possible through the Spirit, the power of God in us