Jump Start # 933

Romans 7:24 “Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?”

Our verse today is difficult to grasp. It is one that many feel. It describes the inner turmoil and struggle between obeying God and the guilt that comes from disobeying Him. This struggle is real when we read:

• “…for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate” (15)
• “For I know that nothing good dwells in me…” (18)
• “For the good that I wish, I do not do; but I practice the very evil that I do not wish” (19)
• “but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind, and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members” (23)

Indeed, as he stated, Paul was “wretched.” He was miserable. His heart and mind where at odds. The inside and the outside were not on the same page. He knew, but he didn’t do what he knew. Guilt and shame were winning. He felt like a loser spiritually. He knew he wasn’t pleasing God.

Many Christians can relate to Paul’s words. In some ways Paul has written their story. Romans 7 has become their spiritual autobiography. Since they have become a Christian, their life has been miserable. They are eaten with guilt. They are not confident nor do they feel good about their spiritual journey. For some, life was better when they were not following Christ. Sure they were lost, but they had freedom and fun. They didn’t live with a constant guilt. Not a day passes that they beat themselves up for not praying more, doing more, saying the right word, having the right attitude. They love Jesus and go to services but deep inside, doubt that they will go to Heaven. Why? Romans 7.

Is that how you feel? Something is wrong if it is. Consider:

• The same apostle that wrote Romans 7 also told the Philippians to rejoice in the Lord always.
• It was the same apostle who told Timothy, “in the future there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the righteous Judge will award to me on that day…” (2 Tim 4:8).
• It was the same apostle who wrote a sentence or two later in Romans, “There is therefore now no condemnation in Christ Jesus” (8:1).

This inner struggle Paul describes in Romans 7 is illustrating a man who is trying to live by perfection. He can’t do it. He’s eaten alive with guilt. The struggle is too much. Wretched is how he feels. Romans 7 is the life under the law. Romans 7 is not what Christians should feel. Romans 7 has no joy, no confidence and no future. Misery is not what is found in Christ. Jesus gives us freedom. Remember, “You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” The Gospel doesn’t enslave us in an inner prison of mental and emotional torture. How is the Gospel “good news,” if that is the case? What is the motive for trying to convert someone if a miserable life awaits them?

What is missing in Romans 7 is Jesus. What is missing is grace. What is missing is the Holy Spirit groaning for us. Romans 7 is NOT the life of a Christian. In Christ there is joy, peace and hope. Romans 7 is gloom and doom.

There are some who need to grasp this. You have allowed guilt to dominate your life and have tried to force others to live by perfection. Guilt is the gift that keeps on giving. Using guilt as a means to change behavior doesn’t last long.

Keep Romans 7 where it belongs. Be thankful that we don’t have to be perfect. Be thankful for grace. Now, does that mean we can be foot loose and fancy free and not try? No. Does that mean nothing matters? No. Does that mean I can do what I want? No. Does that mean I can preplan sin and know that God will wipe it away? No. All of those reflect unrighteous attitudes that are not characteristic of a disciple. A disciple wants to be like the master, that’s Jesus. Romans 8 tells us that God wants us to be conformed to the image of His son.

As we come and worship, it ought to be an oasis of joy and a celebration of goodness that is found in Christ. The reason some stay away from church is that they know they have been wrong, and they fear the church will only make them feel worse. Shame on us for that. The prodigal didn’t feel that way. He didn’t think, “Might as well go home where I will get lectured, beat up and treated like dirt.” Grace is the banner that flies from God’s flagship. Forgiveness is the fuel that keeps us going. As long as we are all going the same direction with God on the journey to Heaven, we have help and hope from God and each other. We are not on the same place in this journey. Some are ahead of us. Some are behind us. It’s easy to wrongly judge others because they are not beside us. It is easy to feel worthless because we think we are so far behind others. But that’s not how God feels about you.

We marching to Zion, beautiful, beautiful Zion.

I hope this helps. It’s time to pray to God and let go of some of that guilt. It’s time to smile again spiritually. It’s time to realize that you are God’s sons and daughters. He loves you. He wants you to spend forever with Him.

Wretched? No. I am a Christian. I walk with the King. I am forgiven. God’s grace shines upon us.

Roger