Romans 7 and Future Sin

Romans 7 has been on my mind a lot recently, especially verses 14-20 where Paul has his famous "what I hate I do" speech.  This is a passage that has been used by many to explain how the Christian life is one where we want to do good, but because of sin inside of us we do evil.  They then go one to explain that we will sin in the future and that we "aren't perfect, just forgiven."  The problem is, that is not what this passage is about.

Paul begins this passage, really, in Romans 6 when he says, "But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance.  You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness." (6:17-18)  He makes is pretty clear that before you know Jesus you are a slave to sin and once you know Him you become a slave to righteousness.

Then Rom 7:14 begins with, "I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin."  Now, that's weird.  Isn't Paul a Christian?  If he is why would he say that he is a slave to sin since Christians aren't slaves to sin?  What Paul is doing is reverting back to his old self and talking about himself as if he hasn't come to know Jesus yet.  The "I" Paul is using is pre-Jesus-Paul.

So, after he reverts to pre-Jesus-Paul he explains the problem faced by all humanity: we cannot do anything but sin, even if we want to do good.  Romans 7 isn't about the Christian life; it is about the fleshly life.  This is the human dilemma.

But, after he explains the non-Christian life, he has a beautiful declaration of the salvation found in Jesus.  "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 thought Jesus Christ our Lord!" (7:24-25)  We have been saved from the human dilemma though Jesus Christ.

And what is is the result of this salvation.  "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because though Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death." (8:1-2)  There are two results of this salvation: 1) There is no condemnation; we have been forgiven. 2) We have been set free from the law of sin and death and obey the law of the Spirit.  The human dilemma is no longer a reality for us because we have been set free.

It is an amazing truth that we no longer have to sin.  The cross has forgiven us of our sin, yes, but more than that it has enabled us to live according to the Spirit.  We no longer have to sin because Christ has set us free.

This idea is all over Scripture:
Eze 36:26 "I will give you a new heart and put a new Spirit in you."
Rom 6:7 "Anyone who has died has been set free from sin"
Rom 6:14 "For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace."
1 Jn 3:6 "No one who lives in Him keeps on sinning."

Now, I don't mean to say that we cannot sin after we are saved.  The grace that we find at the cross covers all of our sins, past, present, and future.  Nor do I desire for us to become legalistic about making always making "the right" choice.

But, I do want us to stop living with a defeated attitude toward sin.  If we think that we are destined to sin in the future then we will.  But, if we have deep faith that the cross has changed us and that we have died with Christ (Gal 2:20; Col 3:1-4) then we can live in righteousness for His glory.

May we be a people who always live in the Gospel so that we can live a life worthy of the Gospel.