We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

So I find this law at work: Although 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 me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!

So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.According to Romans 7:14-25

According to the above passages we could conclude that Paul is a low down, dirty face, no good dog face pony soldier sinner just like us. Right?

Wrong! Paul is not talking about himself here he is speaking in the persona of someone weak in the faith or of someone with no faith at all. In  1Cor.9:22 Paul says, To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

This must be true otherwise how could he say in 1Cor.11:1 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ. Or how about this in 2Cor6:3-7 We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left.

Or how about this zinger in Eph.4:22-24 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

How about another, let’s look at 2Pe.1:10 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble. Was Paul a big fat hypocrite or did he practice what he preached?

Let’s go to Phil.2:12-15 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky. Did Paul just tell them to become blameless and pure while all the while he is sinning up a storm? You know? the guy who said, “I am carnal sold under sin.” That guy.

Now I am turning off the sarcasm and I’m going to talk straight with you. Romans 7 might aptly describe you but it doesn’t describe the great apostle Paul who is arguable the greatest Christian who ever lived.

This is what Origen wrote way back in the day, “Whoever insists that these words are about the actual person of the apostle Paul instills every soul with utter despair.” And why would he say that? It is because that is going to be the best that any of us can hope to achieve. We are not going to best the great Apostle.

Paul did better and we can do better too. This is the verse I repeat the most often to my Lutheran brothers and sisters, “The righteous shall live by faith.” Found in Rom.1:16-17 And they hate me for it, haha. That’s because they have no idea how to live a righteous life by faith, even though in the verse it says that “you shall” they think “it’s optional” and proceed to ignore it.

So if you are struggling in the flesh to live a God pleasing life like the fella in Rom.7 you haven’t yet figured out how to live a life of faith. I am running out of space here read my other posts, try my posts on how to love the Lord with all of your heart. But just remember, do not put the great Apostle Paul in the same boat with you if you are a Rom.7 kind of guy, if you do you are screwed, glued, and tattooed.

Happy boating!