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“So I know what Paul didn’t mean. Now what did he mean?” Yesterday’s devotional looked at a couple of verses from Romans 7 and then proceeded to say what they did not mean. Sometimes this is a valid way of studying the Bible so as to arrive at the most likely meanings of a text. We continue in today’s message, but today we examine what Paul did mean in the focus text.

“Has then what is good become death to me? Certainly not! But sin, that it might appear sin, was producing death in me through what is good, so that sin through the commandment might become exceedingly sinful. For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin.” (Romans 7.13-15).

The subtle change from the present to the past occurs in the first of these focus verses. It is tipped off by the use of past tense verbs or phrasings. “Has then what is good become death… Sin was producing death in me… Sin might become exceedingly sinful…” All of these phrases serve to cause the reader to look backward at a time previous to the present. Paul’s intent is to compare his current state as a believer in Jesus Christ to a former time when he was an avowed disbeliever. We will set the stage briefly for that comparison.

Speaking of his past life, Paul wrote, “If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.” (Philippians 3.4-6). This was Paul’s former life as a devout Hebrew and Pharisee.

What he willed to do (i.e. please God), he knew not how to do. What he wished to do (i.e. live a life free from sin) he could not do due to the failings of the law. The things that he did (e.g. persecuting the church) were things that he came to hate. What he thought was good, was in fact evil. In that carnal system and living in the flesh (i.e. apart from God’s current revelation) Paul had no ability to do good! He was at a total loss (regardless of how hard he tried) as to how to live in the Spirit.

In that former state he was sold under sin! The auctioneer’s gavel had come down for the final time and Paul found himself on the wrong side of the deal. He wanted and needed to be declared righteous, but apart from Christ it simply could not be. As was true with all who did not know Messiah, Satan had “purchased” the entire lot! Paul was sold under sin.

Paul did not leave himself in that state. God did not leave Paul in that state. The biblical record does not leave Paul in that state. How horrible it was there. Life was a living contradiction and nothing but nothing seemed to turn out right. From that bleak and dreary picture, Paul transports the reader back to the present. That transition is like walking from the darkest of caverns immediately into the brightness of the noonday sun.

From one who was carnal to one who walked not after the flesh, from one who was sold under sin to one who was free from the law of sin and death, from one who yearned to be delivered from the body of death to one who had received the Spirit of adoption – these are the contrasts of the old man (Saul of Tarsus) to the new man (Paul the apostle). Sold under sin (previously) but redeemed (presently) by the precious blood of the Lamb!

Questions:

1. As long as Paul remained steadfast to his Jewish heritage, how hard would he have had to have worked to be righteous in God’s sight? THINK!!!

2. The dilemma that Saul was is in (that of being carnal) is the same with all who seek to do good apart from God’s revealed will? Under such conditions, what is the value of a good conscience?

3. How was Saul made free from the law of sin and death (see Romans 8.1,2).

4. Do you see the wretched man (Saul) of Romans 7.24 in the Paul of Romans 8.1-9? Why or why not?

"Today's Little Lift" from Jim Bullington

Comfort in Isaiah II (12-14-10)