Ce – The Results of the Inner Conflict 7: 22-25

The Results of the Inner Conflict
7: 22-25

The results of the inner conflict DIG: What are some of the differences between our old [sin nature] and our new divine nature? How is the Torah able to show us our sin? What does Paul mean when he says, “I am a slave of God’s Torah with my mind; but on the other hand, I am a slave of sin’s law with my old [sin nature]” (7:25).

REFLECT: Keeping a set of rules will not make your relationship with the Lord any closer. What effect does legalism have on believers today? How can we be delivered from legalism? Why is it impossible to obey a set of rules and live a good life? What is the secret of doing good? Why? What is the role of the Ruach Ha’Kodesh today in our sanctification?

It was only through faith in Yeshua Messiah that Paul could resolve his inner conflict.

Paul says that it was impossible for him to obey God’s Torah because he had a [sinful nature] that was rebellious. For in my inner self, I delight with God’s Torah (Romans 7:22; Psalm 1:1-3 and 119); but within me, I see a stubborn “torah,” one that battles with the Torah in my mind and makes me a prisoner of sin’s “torah,” “law,” or “principle,” which is operating within me (7:23). The indwelling old [sin nature] is constantly mounting a military campaign against the new divine nature, trying to gain victory and control because it has the capacity for perceiving and making moral judgments. Further, despite the believer’s identification with Yeshua Messiah’s death and resurrection, and his efforts to have Messiah-honoring attitudes and actions, he cannot, in his own power, resist the indwelling [sin nature]. In and of himself, he repeatedly experiences defeat and frustration.¹⁹³

It is not that Paul’s salvation was imperfect or in any way deficient. From the moment the believer receives Yeshua Messiah as Lord and Savior, he is completely accepted by YHVH and ready to meet Him. But as long as he remains in his mortal body, in his old [sin nature], he remains subject to temptation and sin. For although we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses (Second Corinthians 10:3-4). In other words, although a believer cannot avoid living in the flesh, he can, and should, avoid walking according to the flesh in its sinful ways.¹⁹⁴

In a wail of anguish, Paul cries out in utter frustration: What a miserable creature I am! Who will rescue me from this inner conflict, this body bound for death (7:24)? Judaism stresses that the individual is responsible and able to defeat the yetzer ha’ra, or the “evil inclination,” with the yetzer ha’tov, or the “good inclination,” by obeying the Torah. But Paul adds that it is impossible unless we stop trying to overcome our own [sin nature] by our own strength, and accept God’s lifeline through Messiah.¹⁹⁵

Many believers can relate to what Paul is saying in these verses. We too get frustrated with ourselves. We desperately want to be good, but we can’t be. We intensely want to do good, but we can’t. Our hearts hurt. Our minds hurt. Even our bodies hurt because of our own sin. We should find consolation in knowing that even Paul, who wrote most of the B’rit Chadashah, was in the same exact position as we are. He was riddled with his own sin.¹⁹⁶

Paul’s answer to his own question: Who will rescue me from this body bound for death? was immediate. Thanks be to God [He will] rescue me from my sin-controlled, death-bound body! How will He? Through Yeshua the Messiah, our Lord! Just as believers are identified with Him in His death and resurrection by faith here and now, so they will join their resurrected and exalted Lord for all eternity in new bodies, free forever from the presence of sin. But we are citizens in heaven, and it is from there that we expect a Deliverer, the Lord Yeshua the Messiah. He will change bodies we have in this humble state and make them like his glorious body, using the power which enables Him to bring everything under his control (Philippians 3:20-21). Frustrating and painful as our present struggle with sin may be, that temporary earthly predicament is nothing compared with the eternal glory that awaits us in heaven. Later in his letter to the believers in Rome, Paul testifies: I don’t think the sufferings we are going through now are even worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed to us in the future (8:18).

Because we have a taste of the righteousness of ADONAI and glory while we are still on earth, our longing for heaven is even stronger: We ourselves, says Paul, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we continue waiting eagerly to be adopted as His children – that is, to have our whole bodies redeemed and set free (8:23). On that great day, even our corruptible bodies will be redeemed and made incorruptible. It will take but a moment, Paul reassures us, in the blink of an eye, the dead will be raised to live forever, and we too will be changed. For this material [body] which can decay must be clothed with imperishability, this [body] which is mortal must be clothed with immortality . . . the sting of death is sin; and sin draws its power from the Torah; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Yeshua the Messiah (First Corinthians 15:52-53 and 56-57).¹⁹⁷

Meanwhile, in this life, Paul concluded: On the one hand, I am a slave of God’s Torah with my mind; but on the other hand, I am a slave of sin’s law with my old [sin nature] (7:25). While awaiting freedom from the presence of sin, believers still face an inner conflict between their new divine nature and their old [sin nature]. But the best is yet to come! Romans 8 explains the work of the Ruach Ha’Kodesh in our life-long process of sanctification, being set apart for the holy purposes of God.

Dear Holy Heavenly Father, You are Awesome and I desire to please You in all I do, say and think. Some of my family and friends claim to follow You, yet they ignore blatant continual sin in their lives. Please soften their hearts so that they do not ignore sin but rather they will be repulsed by their selfish sin for sin offends you God. You always want the very best for each of Your children and You will give rewards to Your children when they get to heaven, but when they have a sinful attitude while doing a good deed, they forfeit their reward for that deed. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear. For the Day will show it, because it is to be revealed by fire; and the fire itself will test each one’s work – what sort it is. If anyone’s work built on the foundation (which is Yeshua the Messiah) survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss – he himself will be saved, but as through fire (First Corinthians 3:11-15).

They may not even be Your child, for You say that those who are Your children cannot live in sin, for you said that Your Ruach Ha’Kodesh will convict Your child who is sinning, and Your child will listen. No one born of God practices sin, because God’s seed remains in him. He cannot sin, because he is born of God (First John 3:9). I desire to listen carefully and obey the Ruach Ha’Kodesh whom You give to all who love You. I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper so He may be with you forever –  the Spirit of truth . . . You know Him, because He abides with you and will be in you. But the Helper, the Ruach ha-Kodesh whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you everything and remind you of everything that I said to you. (John 14:16-17a,c,26). I praise You for Your awesome love, for the wonderful gift of Yeshua’s righteousness and the indwelling of the Ruach Ha’Kodesh. I love pleasing You! In Yeshua’s holy name and power of His resurrection. Amen