The Christian Struggle
Notes
Transcript
Some people seem to be drawn to conflict while others do everything in their power to avoid it. Some people run toward trouble while others run away from it. What do we do when the conflict is us? We obviously cannot run away from ourselves, yet many try. We can ignore it, but that does not fix anything. We can try to numb the conflict, or distract ourselves, but the problem is still there. That is what the Apostle Paul was dealing with in our text today.
14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. 16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. 17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. 19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. 22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
I. Conflict With The Law (v. 14)
We by nature hate rules; at least rules that pertain to us. Some of us hate rules more than others. There are times when we break rules simply because it is there. Other times we break rules without trying. We just find ourselves having made the wrong decision.
Our natural inclination is to blame the law. Our mindset is that if it was not for the law we would not be in violation. Currently in the U.S., we are working to remove laws that get people in trouble rather than address the mindset that leads us to breaking the laws. For instance, we think that too many people are incarcerated for drugs. So, rather than address the drug problem, we fight to legalize the drugs. While it is true that fewer people will be incarcerated, it will not help the problem of substance abuse.
Imagine for a moment that the speed limit for all interstates was changed to 60 miles per hour. Also, the consequence for driving just one mile over the speed limit was that the driver would be removed from the vehicle and executed on the side of the road. While most of us would say that the limit is too low and the penalty is too extreme, the law itself is not a problem. A speed limit was set. Consequences were made clear. The way to avoid the consequences is to not approach the limit. A driver need only to set their cruise control at 50 miles per hour and they will never be in danger of exceeding the limit. Yet, many would set their cruise at 59 and blame the vehicle if they exceeded the speed limit while going down a hill. Still others would intentionally drive 61 when they thought no one was looking. Our children would hear us saying “Stupid law”.
Is this not how our flesh views God’s law? Do we not hate the law that says “Thou shalt not bear false witness” when we believe that a lie would benefit us more than the truth?
A. Why Blame The Law
By Breaking The Law, We Prove That The Law Is Good (v. 16)
II. Conflict With Self
We have all felt this conflict. Both lost and saved people alike have found themselves doing something that they did not want to do. Perhaps the person that is trying to lose weight has regret after they ate a candy bar. They ask their self, “Why did I do that? Why did I give in?”. For Christians, we experience this conflict, but on a deeper level. For us, it is the conflict of the spirit verse the flesh.
Our dual natures are at odds with each other. The old man, the flesh, desires to do that which is natural to it. Sin and rebellion against God are his desire. We want to eat our fruit and hide in the garden. We do not wanted to be confronted with the consequences of our actions. If we are confronted, we want to blame another. It is not our fault.
Then there is the new man, the redeemed spiritual man. He desires to be obedient to God and His law. When he sins, it grieves his heart because he has grieved the heart of God. These two natures are in opposition to one another.
III. Delight In The Law (v.22)
22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
This is to stop being rebellious.
If you love the speed limit, you will not break the speed limit.
If you love God’s law, you will not try to walk right up to the ledge and find you have fallen over the edge.
It is not about robotic obedience but delight and love.
IV. Despair over our condition (v. 24)
24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
It is a reality that we must engage in this conflict for the rest of our lives here on earth. While there will always be conflict, the battles can change.
V. Hope in the Savior
25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
Victory is ours. While we are engaged in the fight for now, the war has already been decided. Christ has won. Sin and death have been defeated.
“Most likely, you think the Battle of Appomattox on April 9, 1865 as the final battle of the American Civil War; however the decisive Union victory meant the surrender of Confederate General Robert E. Lee and thousands of his forces, but not all Confederate armies. As such, fighting did persist over the next month. Although the Battle of Columbus, Georgia (April 16) is officially considered the last battle of the Civil War, the Battle of Palmito Ranch in Texas took place nearly a month later, after the Confederacy had dissolved on May 5. The battle, a Confederate victory, was relatively small; only 500 Union solders squared off against 300 Confederates. Accordingly, the losses on both sides were minor compared to other major battles of the war. The defeated Union forces suffered four killed, twelve wounded, and 101 captured, adding to the hundreds of thousands of casualties sustained by the Union in the course of the bloodies war ever fought in North America.”
https://www.toptenz.net/top-10-battles-fought-war-ended.php
Conclusion: