#33 HCBC 8-26-07 AM
Why Do I Still Sin?
Living by the Flesh or the Spirit?
Romans 8:5-11
Why do I still sin?
I have been a Christian for 24 years!
I repented of my sins!
I trusted Jesus as my Lord and Savior!
I received the Holy Spirit who lives in me!
I read my Bible regularly!
I pray a lot!
I serve God and others!
I give!
So, why do I still sin?
If we have a desire to obey God;
If we yearn to live the Christian life;
If we long to do and say and be right before God;
If our aim is to please God;
If our objective is to love God and love our neighbor;
If our goal – our ambition – our hope and our desire is to live the
obedient, fruitful, faithful Christian life;
Why do we still sin?
Romans 7:21 gives us the answer!
Romans 8 explains it!
Rom 7:21 So I find this law at work; When I want to do good, evil is right
there with me.
By “this law” Paul means sin in us!
Sin in us is a law or a principle –
A law represents power – authority – constraint – control
When you and I want to do good, we find that sin is right there too!
This law of sin never rests!
Romans 7 is about what the Law says about us:
We are unspiritual!
We are unable to carry out our desire to do good!
Sin lives in us!
Romans 8 is about what the Gospel says about us:
There is no Condemnation for those who are in Jesus Christ!
There is no Trepidation for those who are in Jesus Christ!
There is no Separation for those who are in Jesus Christ!
1. No Condemnation verse 1
Judgment of guilt with a sentence of death!
This is the theme of the chapter -- the theme of Romans -- the theme of the Gospel.
2. In Christ verse 1
But what is this being “in Christ?” The boat illustration.
3. Law of the Spirit vs law of sin and death verse 2
The contrast is between the controlling power of the Holy Spirit
And the written law that points out sin and brings death!
The controlling power of the Holy Spirit results in life!
The controlling power of sin results in death!
4. Written law powerless verse 3
The law is powerless to justify.
The law is powerless to sanctify.
The law reveals sin.
The law provokes sin.
The law brings us to the end of ourselves.
5. God sent His Son to be a sin offering verse 3
This is the gospel story.
…true theology.
…doctrine.
…the incarnation.
…the sinless sacrifice.
…substitutionary atonement.
…justification.
..sanctification.
This is God expressing His love for mankind!
6. Sin is condemned verse 3
God put sin to death in sinful man.
We are now dead to sin
7. Requirements of the law are met in us verse 4
Jesus Christ met that requirement!
Jesus Christ fulfilled the requirements of the law on our behalf!
8. Living not according to the flesh but the Spirit verse 4
By walking in the Spirit.
By following the leading of the Spirit.
By obeying the Spirit.
By listening to the Spirit.
By being taught by the Spirit.
…convicted by the Spirit.
…led by the Spirit.
…controlled by the Spirit.
So, why do I still sin?
In vs 5-11 Paul explains this great struggle that is taking place within every true Christian!
Vs 5 the desire of the sinful nature is set against the desire of the Spirit
The mind of the person living according to the sinful nature is set on
what the sinful nature desires.
The mind of the person living according to the Holy Spirit is set on
what the Holy Spirit desires.
Vs 6 Paul explains the result of each desire – if followed.
The result of following the sinful nature is death.
The result of following the Spirit is life and peace.
Vs 7 the sinful mind is hostile to God!
It does not submit to God’s law.
It cannot submit to God’s law.
Vs 8 People who are controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.
Vs 9 Believers are controlled by the Spirit, if they are believers.
Vs 10 If Christ lives in us, our body is dead, but our spirit is alive.
Our body is dead because of sin.
Our spirit is alive because of righteousness.
Vs 11 He will give us life!
So, why do I still sin!
The whole point is that for Christians there is a war going on and it is within us.
Each Christian has living within him or her the Holy Spirit!
Each Christian has living within him or her the flesh – or the sinful nature!
The two are at war and they will be as long as we live!
We must recognize two things;
The sinfulness of sin. (Rom 7:13)
Gen 3:13
Rev 12:9; 20:10
Heb 3:13
Tit 3:3
Eph 4:22
The kindness of God.
Eph 2:1-9
Rom 5:6
Rom 8:1
John 3:16
Tit 3:3-5
Deceit aims its fiery darts at the mind.
The mind = the watchman
The affections = follow after what the mind says is good
The will = puts into action what the mind has said is good and the affections has
longed for.
So, why do I still sin?
Because the flesh still lives in me and from time to time I choose to list to some form of deception and choose what the flesh desires which is contrary to what the Spirit desires.
Who will rescue me from this body of death?
Thanks be to God – through Jesus Christ our Lord!
Next time we will look at what Paul says about putting to death the misdeeds of the body.