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OUR EVANGELISTS
Dennis Tucker & James McClenny
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The exegetes and commentators have a field day with Rom. 7: and Paul’s inner struggle. Is this the regenerate or unregenerate Paul? Context indicates that one’s struggle against sin continues, regardless of regeneration. Paul had to buffet his body, “lest by any means, after that I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected” (1 Cor. 9:27). Dominion of sin was broken, as respects the curse of law (Rom. 6:14, Gal. 3:10f); but sin continues to enslave and reign in those who yield their members to unrighteousness (Rom. 6:12-13). WHY is it so hard to overcome temptation? WHY has sin so great a hold on us? Let us carefully study the enemy.
Paul says, I am carnal; sin dwells in me; in my flesh; in my members (Rom. 7:14, 17, 18, 23). Together, these circumstances constitute the law of sin — that observable norm or inclination of man to sin. Some tell us this is inherited (genetically) from Adam, but guilt is not a genetic trait. Each person is individually accountable for response to the will of God (Ezek. 18:19-f). The consequences of sin are upon us because we have sinned (Rom. 5:12). But there are circumstances related to a mortal existence which provide Satan with open doors and incline mankind toward sin.
FLESH (literally) is not evil. The gnostics of the first century made this mistake (1 Jn. 4:2-3) and we should not repeat it. But flesh hungers, and this may be an avenue for Satan. When Jesus was hungry he was tempted to turn stones into bread. Flesh seeks a comfort zone (for self-preservation) and this can become a pleasure seeking bent that gives Satan another door upon which to knock. Flesh is self-serving, and this can be extended into sinful pride. (Study Matt. 4:1-11; 1 Jn. 2:16.) Flesh is not evil, per se, but its proclivity to sin is such that fleshly often means sinful. It is strike one on mankind.
Early environment or BACKGROUND, to a great extent, programs our later life. God knew this earlier, and more accurately, than the sociologists. Peter says the Lord redeems us from the futile way of living in which you were brought up (Goodspeed, 1 Pet. 1:18). Meyer comments, “This attribute emphatically shows that the vain conduct is peculiar, not to the individuals only, but to the whole race, and has been from the earliest times, and consequently is so completely master of the individual that he cannot free himself from it. We were born into a world cursed by sin — a climate that may be considered an immoral primer.” I believe this is that to which David referred, (Ps 51:5). Our background is strike two against us.
And Paul wrote (Eph. 2:3) that we were by nature...children of wrath. NATURE can refer, of course, to physical laws of procreation, but it also has other meanings. In Rom. 2:14 it is used for reason and conscience by which one develops a sense of right or ought. It also refers to practices so general as to be the norm for propriety. When Paul wrote, “Doth not even nature itself teach you that if a man have long hair it is a shame unto him?” he did not say physical nature would not grow long hair on men. He meant general practice was such that society associated long hair with women, shorter hair with men (1 Cor. 11:14). McKnight lists five ways in which ‘phusis’ (nature) was used (Note 3, on Eph. 2:3). The question is, how is it used in this text?
Eph. 2:1 says the Ephesians were dead through their own trespasses and sins (see A.S.). Verse 2, K.J. verifies this, reading, “wherein in times past ye walked”. Walk refers to a manner of life, which was according to the course of this world. Clearly our text says they were children of wrath because they yielded to social pressures — gave in to nature, i.e., the general course of the world about them. In our world evil men and seducers wax worse and worse (2 Tim. 3:13), hence the friendship of the world is enmity with God (Jas. 4:4). The world’s fashions, the standards of our social peers, the influence of our day-by-day existence, becomes that big strike three against mankind.
And so, we sin, and sin enslaves. Under such circumstances, the desire to do better, acknowledging that the law is holy, just, good, is marvelous tribute to the fact that we are made in God’s image. But all have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23). We sinned in the past, and we continue to sin. In the final analysis, just how Paul used himself in Rom. 7: (regenerate, unregenerate; as under the law, or not) is of secondary importance. The lesson that comes through clearly is that man’s real self recognizes man’s helplessness before a just God, and cries out in despair. In such a clime Paul’s thanks for Jesus Christ is the cry of joy that bursts from the heart of a slave released from bondage. We can neither comprehend nor appreciate the meaning of the gospel of Christ until our heart so yearns for freedom.
Jesus died on our behalf, so that there is no violation of justice when the heavenly Father forgives our sins (Rom. 3:24-26). But fanciful theories concerning Christ’s perfect life imputed to us; or the personally indwelling Holy Spirit that protects us, or empowers us to overcome sin; may actually be devices by which Satan prompts us to let down our guard. We are still in the flesh in a very important way — having members that can be yielded (Rom. 6:13) and affections that must be controlled (Col. 3:1-f). Our early environment or background still influences our thinking, often with prejudices that require psychotherapy to unearth. And the sin-filled world about us continues to dictate much of our daily life. We have, in Christ, the dynamite with which to overcome Satan — and in this sense Christ has overcome Satan-- but our individual battle goes on. The greater part of the New Testament is directed to saints, urging them to use the armor provided.
If we walk in the light and if we confess our sins (1 Jn. 1:7-f), we have an advocate, a helper to plead our case, and through whose blood our sins may be forgiven again and again. This keep on walking and keep on confessing (present active) leaves no room for emotional protestation of security. With confidence we fight. We look to heaven, but we remember that Satan and Hell are close behind.
Robert F. Turner
" And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD,
choose you this day whom ye will serve; . . .
but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."
Joshua 24:15 (KJV)
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