How would you describe a "natural born sinner" Terry? Just
doing what comes naturally? What do you make of Romans
7? Paul wrote this 20yrs into his walk with the Lord
and he talked of sin as an entity dwelling in his
flesh ie: "Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in
me" Rom 7:17
How do I describe a natural born sinner? Any natural
born one of us is an example of one unless we are born again and filled with
the Holy Spirit. Even then we still have the audacity at times to grab
the tiller and steer our own course.
As to Paul's statement, at first glance, I would
call this some kind of copout. It sounds as though Paul is trying not
to take the blame for his sins. Sorta like the dualists or the
Gnostics "It is something dwelling in me, not me". But I do not think
that he is saying that. Paul has grown over the twenty years you
mentioned. He started out as a Pharisee's Pharisee. Righteous! Some
one that would never sin! A little later, he declares himself an
apostle, equal to any of the original gang that followed Jesus for three
years. He is the guy who corrects Peter when he needs
corresting.
Now he has walked with the Lord long enough to
mature. He sees the truth that he could never see before. Even
though he hates sin, he is a sinner, and even though he is determined
not to sin, and loves God, sometimes he blows it. Like us other natural
born sinners, he needs a savior. Back in verse fourteen he admits that
he is carnal. That alone rules out his being like the Gnostics, who
felt that the body could sin, but the spirit was innocent. Paul knew
he was guilty, and admitted it.
That's how I see it.
Terry
