FOR THOSE “WRETCHED MEN” WHO HATE THE THINGS YOU DO. THERE’S HOPE FOR YOU- Rom.7

Now as we move forward in Paul's epistle to the believing Jews at Rome, in ch.7 we see Paul making sure that we know this is who he is speaking to by saying, "Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?" Those who know the law are Jews, not gentiles. An it is they who were under the law’s dominion. Not gentiles. Paul has already made this abundantly clear in the preceding chapters of this epistle.

And saying the law has dominion over them as long as they live is a sequel to what he told them in Rom.6:3 when he wrote, "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?" So that they would know that it is because by faith they have died with Christ in baptism that the law no longer has dominion over them.

So that when Paul compares their being lawfully joined to the law to lawful marriage, they will see that the only way to be joined with Jesus is for them first to be dead to the law.

And that baptism has done this so that they now know "that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin."

See now why it was this necessary to be done this way? Why a Jew could not be joined with Jesus and the law at the same time without being an adulteress? Because joined to the law they are under the dominion of sin. But, joined to Christ they are free from sin and servants to righteousness. As Paul says in Rom.6:18. Which means they are free to worship God without the encumbrances of the law's constant reminder of sin.

This is what Paul is showing them when he says "But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter."

Because in newness of spirit they do not think in terms of law keeping to show their love for God. They will only think in terms of love for God. Because their focus is on their relationship with Him. Not the works of the law. And that this love is why they do what they do and why they treat others the way they do. No longer being led by the law that can not give life. But, led of the Spirit of God that shows they are sons of God and heir to His kingdom.

As Paul continues in this epistle he is basing his teaching on the premise he made in vs.1-4. So we will keep this in mind, we must keep this in mind, as we read through the rest of the chapter. So that we won’t be tempted to begin reading into it any pre conceived notions or heresies we may have heard before in connection with this chapter.

So that when we read "But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead", we know Paul is referring to the sin of trying to be joined with the law and to Christ at the same time. And not just any sin.

This is why Paul then says, "For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.

And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.

For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me." Because the sin that revived is the attempt to be joined to the law while also being joined to Christ. A form of idolatry because for the Jew not being able to be dead to the law is to make the law itself God. Because it has become for them the means by which they are made righteous. And not simply by the faith of Christ as Gal.2:16 says.

Now we know what it means when Paul says in vs14-17, "For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.

For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.

If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.

Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me."

The sin that dwelleth in me here is the idolatry of the law. This is why they could not be joined to both the law and Christ at the same time. Because the law says it is by works that they show their love for God. And to be joined with Jesus the New Covenant says it is by faith without works that we show our love for God. Just as faithful Abraham did for which God said he was righteous.

So the thing I do that I hate is to trust in the law for righteousness. And the thing that I want to do but don't do is to trust in Jesus without the works of the law for righteousness. This is why Paul said he consented that the law is good. Because it is spiritual, but they are carnal sold under sin- no faith in Jesus- because the law kept them “shut up unto the faith” that gives life.

And now when Paul writes in vs18-21, "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.

For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me." We know that he is talking about the fact that the Jew who attempts to be joined both with the law and Christ is in idolatry. Because he has placed the law between him and God.

Instead of Jesus our mediator.

This is the "no good thing" and "the sin that dwelleth in me" in these verses. Because remember the premise here is that the Jew who attempts to be joined with the law and to Jesus at the same time is as an adulteress. This is the context of Rom.7. So this is the "evil is present with me" Paul was referring to.

So the law that is found in "when I would do good" is what makes him an idolater. Because he seeks to do good by keeping the law which is works. Instead of making his choices by the love of God that is shed abroad in every believer's heart by faith. Because as Rom.8:14 says, they that are led by the Spirit of God they are the sons of God. And as Rom.5:1-5 shows us we who are led by the Spirit of God are led by His love that is shed abroad in our hearts. Not the works of the law.

This is why in vs22-25 Paul then says, "For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 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.

O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

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."

Delighting in the law after the inward man means inwardly he thinks do unto others as Jesus taught is upon which the law and the prophets hang. But, in his members he says he sees another law. Here Paul uses the phrase "in my members" because the Mosaic law has been ingrained in him since day one. Making it a part of him. Making it who he is.

But, since he must be dead to that law by the body of Christ to be able to be joined with Jesus, the old man being crucified. The works thinking that has been ingrained in his members is an impediment to a new life in Christ. Which is what brings him into the captivity to the law of sin which is in his members. A form of idolatry because he puts the law between him and God

as the measure by which he is made righteous. Instead of the faith of Christ Paul said alone makes men righteous.

But, Paul says there is hope! Because the wretched man that the Jew is while attempting to be joined with the law and Jesus at the same time can be delivered from the body of this death by faith without works in Jesus. This is why in Rom.8:1,2 Paul begins by saying, "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death."

Here Paul shows that to be under the law is to be condemned. And he also equates being under the law to walking after the flesh. Because the flesh operates according to works. And the Mosaic law to a law of sin and death which is condemnation. This is also why in 2Cor.3:7 Paul says the Mosaic law "written and engraven in stones" is the "ministration of death."

An important message we get by studying this chapter in context is that Paul was not teaching about a sin nature as churches say he was because they have believed the pagan gnostic doctrine of original sin and sin nature. Rather, he was teaching that Jews who attempt to be joined to the law and Christ at the same time are in idolatry. Being troubled because they can't seem to simply trust in Jesus for righteousness. But, still struggle with the idea that they must keep the law. And that the only way to be delivered from that idolatry is for the old man to be dead to the law, so that he can be joined with Jesus.

This goes as well for anyone who has been deceived by the doctrine of original sin and sin nature. Because John said being deceived by it makes them believers in the doctrine of antichrist. Because believing the doctrine of original sin forces you to believe that Jesus could never have come in the same flesh all men have. Because then Jesus would have a sin nature too.

Antichrist is coming someday just as Daniel, John, and Paul taught he would. And when he does you can be sure he will be teaching things that are in line with the original sin and sin nature doctrine. So you must separate yourself from this now.

So that it can not put you in the unenviable place of being deceived by him as you have been by this false doctrine.

And being truly ready for Jesus' return means you have confessed that He is Lord. And have believed in your heart that He has raised from the dead. Because just as Jesus said in Mt.12:37, "By your words ye shall be justified. And by your words ye shall be condemned". Because your words are the fruit that comes from your heart that is the tree.

So if you make the tree(your heart) good the fruit(your words) will be good.

This means that you will confess Jesus is Lord. Because you have believed in your heart that He has raised from the dead. And having raised from the dead is what makes Jesus the only way, truth, and life. Because only He has conquered death. This is why the only way to receive immortality and eternal life is through faith in Him and His resurrection. This is why Jesus said "no man comes to the Father except through me".

So if you want the life and immortality that only Jesus can give you. Then confess Him as Lord. And believe He has raised from the dead. Ask Him to save you from death to life. He will do it.

Do this and you will be born again. Do this and you will be a child of God and heir to His kingdom. Do this and you will have eternal life now, and immortality at the resurrection. Do this... and I will see you there or in the air!

This message can also be heard at: https://rumble.com/v2qe6zw-for-those-wretched-men-who-hate-the-things-you-do.-theres-hope-for-you-rom..html