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| INNER STRUGGLES |
| Paul wanted to do right, but failed. |
| So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 7:21 |
| The first part of Romans paints a grand picture of God's grace and forgiveness, so grand that Paul opens himself up to some tricky questions. "I think I like what I'm hearing," a devious person may exclain as he or she finishes the first part of Romans. "The more I sin, the more opportunity God has to forgive me, right? Then I can live any way I want!" In chapter 6, Paul reacts to the "Now I have an excuse to sin" line of thinking with shock and outrage. And then he turns to practical issues in the Christian life. Why is it that somehow even the best Christians keep on sinning? Does God forgive every sin, no matter how bad? What really happens when we become Christians? Do we change or don't we? Illustrations from Life To explain how the Christian life works, Paul uses three analogies: death, slavery, and marriage. Each reveals something about the forces at work inside a Christian, and the three together offer an ever-deepening view of the new relationship of freedom in Christ. The very best illustration of the Christian life, though, is a believer who bares personal struggles. And in chapter 7 Paul offers himself as an example of the struggle involved when an imperfect person commits himself to a perfect God. Paul admits his own anguish and despair at failing even when he has good intentions (7:7-25). Any Christian who wonders, "How can I ever get rid of my nagging sins?" will find comfort in Paul's frank confession in chapter 7. A Final Answer One Day Then, like a gust of fresh air, chapter 8 follows with one of the most hopeful passages in the Bible. The Holy Spirit is its theme, and Paul defines the Spirit's role in our lives. The Spirit works alongside us as we relate to God, even praying for us |