War: Body -vs- Spirit

Trintiy VI -- July 3, 2005

Romans 7:15-25a

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Who does our text sound like? How often have I had people tell me something similar, “Pastor, I know what I should do and I know what I shouldn’t do, but sometimes find myself in the middle of doing what I don’t want to be doing. Why does that happen? I want to live as a good Christian, but I keep messing up.”

It is very easy to become depressed if we are honest with the state of our lives under the perfect requirements of God’s law. So, are God’s laws bad? Are they evil?

Many people today try to avoid God’s laws. Many in society in general and even in some so-called Christian churches try to get out of the law. They explain it away as being old-fashioned or out of date, given only for a specific culture, place, and period of time - that time is past. We may as well throw out the whole Bible then.

The only problem with that is that Paul is claiming to have trouble with keeping God’s law. So, why doesn’t he just explain it away? He could claim that it is out-dated? No, Paul agrees that the law is good. He also agrees that his disobedience to that law is sin.

Paul claims that his own flesh has him in slavery. In fact, he states that there is NO good that lives in him, that is, in his flesh. He says, “I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do - this I keep on doing.”

Now, some Christians claim that Paul is talking about two different phases in the life of the Christian. First, the life of the Christian begins with the struggle described by Paul. Later, as they get better at living as Christian people, they live the “Spirit-filled” life which doesn’t contain this struggle. It is then that they claim “they” have won the victory. Notice the emphasis is on their accomplishment.

This is a lie. This is the lie that the Pharisees told about themselves, about their lives. Yes, they appeared righteous - on the outside - but their inner thoughts were still sinful. So it is with those Christians who make the claim that they have moved into a state of sinlessness, what they call their spirit-filled life. We know this is a lie because this is the same claim that the Pharisees made, that they were without sin, that they had risen above it. We know this is a lie because Jesus called the Pharisees liars.

John, as inspired by God to write the following in his first letter, concurs with that assessment. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. He continues with the attitude the Christian is to have concerning his/her sin. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:8-9)

Some other Christians claim Paul is talking about a hypothetical situation, that only backsliders, those who are falling away from the faith, would undergo such a struggle. Their understanding is that if you keep on trying, you will succeed. Again, the emphasis is on man's work.

A close look at our text refutes both these false understandings. First, note that Paul speaks in the present tense, not what he "did", as if it were in the past. Instead, he speaks about what he is presently doing, "I do."

Nor is this text hypothetical. This is truly Paul speaking. Here is the great apostle to the Gentiles speaking about his struggle to do what is right. He wasn't backsliding. He is alive in the world, struggling with his sinful flesh.

I ask you, "Who does he sound like?" He sounds like me! At least, I know that's how I feel.

What is more, he sounds like you, for I know you struggle with the same problem. I know because some of you have discussed your discouragement that you have the same struggle. Some of you admitted it without even knowing you had admitted it.

Some of you have wondered about heaven. You know you're sinners. You know Christ has purchased forgiveness. But when asked if you are going to heaven, you respond, "I hope so, but I'm not sure." When pushed further, you may explain, "Well, Pastor, I haven't been perfect. "Pastor, I try and try and try, but I fall back into the same sin."

I had one individual in Connecticut bold enough to admit that as much as she asked for forgiveness and the strength to do better, she still continued in her sin. You know what, the truth of the matter is that she was the worst of sinners. She had a hatred and disrespect for God and His gracious gifts. This woman broke down in tears that she could not change her life. What was her terrible breach of God's law? And yes, she understood it correctly, as a breach against the 1st and 2nd Commandments. What was it? She lived in a nursing home and she griped and complained about every meal, she was never satisfied. BUT, she had a God-pleasing attitude, "Why can't I get over this sin," she asked.

I have not been perfect either. I struggle with sin on a daily basis. And, if that isn't enough, listen to Paul. So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? (vv. 21-25)

Wow! Does he understand me! I am guessing that you are thinking that he understands you pretty well too. Isn't God's inspiration by the Holy Spirit in Paul a wonderful thing?

In these words, we see Paul in total disagreement with many of the so-called Christians today who claim that this is either phase one of the Christian life, or only the life of the backslider. And why? Because they claim they are better than that. They think that they, as a human being, are able to change their own life.

Paul completely throws up his hands in despair. There's a war going on in him - his own flesh is struggling against the law of his mind. That same war is going on in every single one of you. Jesus said, "The flesh gives birth to flesh, the Spirit gives birth to Spirit." (John 3:6) Paul also explains that the man in the flesh, without the Spirit, cannot do anything or even understand anything that comes from the Spirit. (1 Corinthians 2:6-16) And so, your flesh, with its sinful desires, is at war with the Spirit God has given you through baptism

That is why, when we look at our lives, it appears we are losing. We'd like to think we can do better - that's our flesh talking too. Paul gets it right. He sees his need for a hero to save him, What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? (vs. 24)

I agree with Paul - Who can save me? Can Pauline's favorite hero do the task? "Have no fear, Underdog is here." I remember Mighty Mouse saying "here I come to save the day." Superman was able to leap giant buildings in a single bound, was faster than a speeding bullet, and stronger than a locamotive. However, none of these fictional characters can save me. Nor, can they save you.

Paul has the answer though. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!

It is war, but the victory isn't won by you. That some Christians believe that they can change their life or do better is a false teaching. In fact, this false teaching of certain Christians has led many to despair and doubt. It has led others to completely abandon the Christian faith as hopeless. Some of you have listened to them on the radio and TV. You have bought their falsehood that if you are a believer, you should be doing better. Some of you have even begun to overlook certain sins in your life rather than confessing them, because you are trying to justify your belief that you are doing better. You are your own hero and you think that you can do it.

Some have suggested to me that I quit preaching about sin and forgiveness. Instead, they would like me tell them how to live a good Christian life and then let them do it. Dearly beloved of God, I will never do this to you. I will not leave you with no hope. I will not leave you wondering if salvation and heaven are yours - because you know deep down inside that you are a sinner - you agree with Paul and me.

Instead, I will point you to the cross. There, Jesus Christ took upon Himself your sins. By His life, lived among sinners, He knows of your daily and hourly struggle with sin. He knows your temptations. He knows of your failures. And still, He lived without falling to the same temptations that conquer you. He lived that perfect life for you. Then, He gave that life unto death upon the cross - He defeated your sin and death that day - and it was boldly proclaimed when the tomb was empty. The war was won in His own flesh.

Today, it is my joy to deliver His victory to you!

I will not tell you to do better, you already know to try. Instead, I have been commanded to proclaim to you your victory, to give you Christ. I speak to you the forgiveness He purchased that covers your continual failures to bring your own flesh into submission. I am called here to deliver Christ's victory to you in Word and Meal.

I am called to give you confident hope, not idle speculation. Your sin is gone - all of it. God knows your struggle against your own flesh. He knows your temptations, and, He sends you a real Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ.

You want victory in the battle?

Hear His Word and take hope, for your sins are forgiven.

Eat His body and be filled with His strength.

Drink His blood and have your thirst for righteousness quenched.

These are the means God ordained to give you confidence that the battle is over and the victory won. In the other hymnal, just before the Lord's Supper, they sing, This is the feast of victory. And so it is your victory, in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

The peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.

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