Thread by @ThomasCoutouzis

Reading through Romans 7 and 8 this morning. What many miss in context is that Paul in Romans 7:13-25 is that Paul is showing that the Law is spiritual. It is a reflection of God's character. Paul is showing us the war that goes on in every regenerate believer. 1/

2/ The Law points out his evil nature. There is nothing good in him. There is a battle going on in him because he wants to do good and uphold God's Law, but his flesh doesn't because it is opposed to God.

Paul finds himself lamenting that the good he wants to do, he doesn't do.

3/ Instead, Paul practices the very evil he doesn't want to do proving that sin is dwelling in him.

Two things here:

-Paul recognized God's Law as good and desires to do it. It is proof of regeneration. It is the Law that helps Paul to see his wickedness & long not to do it.

4/ Secondly, Paul is showing us that the sin nature sticks around after regeneration as our flesh (sin nature) opposes God at every turn (See Galatians 5:17). When Paul sins it is because sin is ever present in him, like every human being.

5/ He makes 2 distinctions in Romans 7:25:

With his "mind" he is serving the law of God proving that he is redeemed and longing to uphold God's law.

However, on the other hand he is serving his "flesh" which desires to uphold the "law of sin".

6/ The law of sin is a reflection of Satan's character which is antichrist. When a believer upholds the law of sin they are reflecting the character of Satan. When a believer upholds the law of God then they are reflecting God's character.

All an unbeliever can do is reflect...

7/...the character of Satan.

This should give the Christian pause to so easily run into sin. When you sin you are reflecting Satan's character upon yourself. As a slave to Christ you are a servant of Christ, so when you sin, you cast the image of Satan upon Christ.

8/ Satan is no longer our master. Christians are called to bear light and flee from sin. Flee from this brethren! Confess you sin to God & ask forgiveness to those you may have wounded. Admit what you did was wrong & repent of it as this will properly reflect Christ.

9/

Bringing this around to Romans 8:

When we sin it fills the true believer with guilt and shame because they recognize their evil. Our sin makes is feel unworthy of heaven even though we are regenerated. We aren't worthy of heaven, but Christ gives us His righteousness...

10/...by grace, allowing us admission to God's holy dwelling place.

Romans 8:1 and the rest of the chapter are a reminder that the Christian has a place in heaven. "There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

Christian, take heart. The fact that you can...

11/...recognize sin and hate it is proof of regeneration. However, if you profess Christ and continuously live in sin or celebrate those practicing it, showing no hatred for it, be very afraid, for you are unregenerate. Repent and turn to Christ.