Romans - August 24, 2008

SECTION --- Four: Sanctification (6:1-8:39) .
(continued from previous Class Follow Up)

OBSERVATION (v.11): Paul was not deceived by God’s command but by the occasion of giving the commandment — “deceived me” modifies “the occasion” not “the commandment”. Paul was not deceived by God’s command but at the occasion of God giving a good command. God’s commandments do not deceive, i.e., stir up the desire to do what God forbids. God’s commands to not “murder” or not steal does not stir up a desire to murder and steal.
OBSERVATION (7:10-11) God revealed His will as a means to provide life to those doing His will, but God’s revealed will resulted in death. Sin using our God given desires (not a depraved but misused nature or desires) caused us to do what was contrary to God’s will, thus, separated us from God.
9. (7:12) What is Paul answer to the rhetorical question of Rom 7:7? How does it relate to the rhetorical question of Rom 6:1-2?
a. Living in sin is not the fault of the Law nor is it the fault of grace but it is cause by a person’s desires being seduced by Mr. Sin.
OBSERVATION (7:12) Point proven: The Law is holy and the commandments it contains are not sin. The sin is the lack of humans to control their God given desires. Desires required for the continuation of the human race.
D. Evidence Applied [Discussion Question Answered] — Why does something designed to bring life bring death?
1. The Creator of Time, Space, and Mass (Gen 1:1) and all life, including us, reveals the way He expects us to control, for our own physical good, what He has given us (our desires and our right to chose) and Mr. Sin uses what God has given us to reject God’s desires or will.
E. Conclusion — Paul is not addressing what one must do to not be spiritually killed but why one cannot be righteous under any law depending on the power or desires of humans to be righteous — weakness of the flesh. Paul is proving the answer to question of 6:1-2 given in 6:5-7.

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A LOOK AHEAD

IX. {Rom 7:13- 20} Desires of the Flesh Makes The Law Appear Sinful
A. Introduction
1. Review — Paul has shown a person set free from the legal obligation of serving Satan does not require the restraints of a Law of Merit to not serve Sin because the function of all Laws of Merit are not to provide salvation but to make a person aware of Sin’s influence. Paul shows the evilness of Sin in practice not in an esoteric or abstract fashion.
2. Preview — The reason God’s Law of Merit produces evil in one seeking to serve God, i.e., seeking to do God’s will. Reason why the Law is not required.
3. Two statements, each with two supports or proofs and a conclusion...
a. Rom 7: 13 (14 & 15) 16
b. Rom 7:17 (18 & 19) 20
B. Question For Discussion?
1. Mr. Sin used the Law to do evil, but the Law was not evil (Rom 7:12). What proof is offered in this passage (Rom 7:13-20) to support the claim the Law is holy, righteous, and good but appears to be bad.
C. Questions For Encouraging Discussion...
1. (7:13) How did something good show how utterly sinful is sin (a violation of divine law)?
a.
2. (7:14) Why is there a conflict between the Law and Paul?
a.
3. (7:14) When was Paul sold into bondage
a.
4. (7:15) Is this person “totally depraved”? The concept one is born as a sinner and will remain a sinner without a concept of right and wrong until they are given, in some better felt than told way, enlightenment by God.
a.
5. (7:16) What does Paul’s desire tell us about the Law?
a.
6. (7:17) Why is Paul is not making an excuse for sinning but explaining why the Law is not the reason for his sinning?
a.
7. Do you feel it is fair to say sin once and sin owns you? Why do you feel that way?
a.
8. (7:18) Why can Paul not do good?
a.
9. (7:19) Why does Paul practice evil?
a.
10. (7:20) What does the conflict described by Paul have to do with those wanting to retain the Law as a means to not sin (Rom 6:1-2) thinking Paul is saying the Law is bad (Rom 7:7)?
a.
D. Evidence Applied [Discussion Question Answered] — Mr. Sin used the Law to do evil, but the Law was not evil (Rom 7:12). What proof is offered in this passage (Rom 7:13-20) to support the claim the Law is holy, righteous, and good but appears to be bad.
1.
E. Conclusion —