Discover the More Abundant Life in Christ

Search
Close this search box.

November 2010

Not Under Law: What the “Struggle Verses” of Romans 7 Really Mean

By Mark VanOuse

[Note: a podcast of this article is available by clicking here]

Bring up Romans chapter 7 and most Christians immediately think of the “struggling with sin” discussion of verses 14 through 24. They therefore conclude that the chief subject of Romans 7 is about struggling with sin. Worse, they buy into a false theology, based on an improper reading of this chapter, that Christians are stuck “struggling with sin till the day they die”.

Nothing could further from the truth. Romans 7 is one of the clearest statements in all the scripture that those in Christ are not under law. That thesis is found in the first 6 verses of Romans 7. It is a natural continuation of the thought developed in Romans 6 that those in Christ are united with Him in His death at Calvary and therefore dead to sin. Romans 7 picks the same theme up and makes the revolutionary point that we are also dead to the law. …

Not Under Law: What the “Struggle Verses” of Romans 7 Really Mean Read More »

Podcast: Not Under Law: What the “Struggle Verses” of Romans 7 Really Mean

When most Christians think of Romans 7, they think that this chapter deals chiefly with struggling with sin. Nothing could be further from the truth. In this podcast, we take a close look at the entire chapter, particularly the theological verses of 1 through 13. When we take a look at this chapter in its full context, the real meaning of the “struggle” verses of 14 through 24 becomes crystal clear.

The results will surprise you. You’ll see what the relationship is between law, sin and the sinner on one hand and grace, freedom and the saint is on the other.

Podcast: Not Under Law: What the “Struggle Verses” of Romans 7 Really Mean Read More »

Part 6, “So Why Do I Do the Sinful Things I Do?” (part 2)

This is part 6 and the conclusion of our series, “Living in the Reality of Perfect Sanctification”. In this lesson we continue answering the question, “So why do I do the sinful things I do?” as we delve into the following topics:

  • Another of Satan’s key tactics: to attack who you really are in Christ.
  • God is the only “I AM”
  • Our “I am” is out His “I AM”
  • The Christian life is a walk of faith, not to “become” but out of who we already are in Christ.

Part 6, “So Why Do I Do the Sinful Things I Do?” (part 2) Read More »

Part 5, “So Why Do I Do the Sinful Things I Do?”

This is part 5 of our series, “Living in the Reality of Perfect Sanctification”. In this lesson we delve into the following topics:

  • Do Christians have a “sinful nature”?
  • What the difference is between the “sinful nature” and the “flesh”.
  • How that a sinner sins because they have a sinful nature versus the fact that a saint sins, contrary to their god-given holy nature, because they are deceived.
  • A saint sins because they are trying live under law, rather than living under grace.
  • How Adam and Eve sinned, even though they didn’t have a sinful nature or a sin consciousness.

Part 5, “So Why Do I Do the Sinful Things I Do?” Read More »