Judy wrote: > Another thought along these lines ... is: > The apostle Paul wrote Romans 7 after he had > been a believer for 22yrs and look what he says > about himself. V.14,15 "For we know that the law > is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin (by the > first Adam). For what I am doing, I do not understand. > For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what > I hate, that I do... V.17 But now, it is no longer I who > do it, but sin that dwells in me. For I know that in me > (that is in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is > present with me, but how to perform what is good > I do not find. In Vs.23 he describes the law of sin > in his members warring against his mind. > Is this how we are supposed to see Jesus? Born > with the law of sin dwelling in His flesh?
No, Judy, Jesus did not live like this. I would like to point out first of all that Paul was not describing his present life at that time. We have discussed this before. You can't lift verses out of context. Read about Judas hanging himself, then read the passage that says, "go and do likewise." Doesn't quite work, but that is what you are doing above. Romans 7 is written in the historical present tense. He is describing something that he once experienced in the present tense in order to draw the reader into his storyline and relate to him. Read Romans 7:5, where it says, "when we WERE in the flesh, the motions of sins which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death." The rest of the passage is describing the details of this, and reducing the complex nature of man into two general components: the flesh and the mind. He does this in order to identify the sin component as being in the flesh, and he identifies this sin principle as being a strong force. The only solution is the Spirit which comes through faith in Christ. This is elaborated upon in Romans 8. Although Jesus was a man under law and would normally qualify for what Paul describes in Romans 7, he was unique in that he was the Son of God. His spirit was strong and he was able to override the desires of his flesh everytime. This is what Paul is describing in Romans 8, and he is relating it to us so that we can know that this is how we have victory over sin, by receiving the spirit which was in Christ overcoming the temptations of the flesh. Jesus did it, so only by receiving his spirit can we do it too. Peace be with you. David Miller. ---------- "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4:6) http://www.InnGlory.org If you do not want to receive posts from this list, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and you will be unsubscribed. If you have a friend who wants to join, tell him to send an e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and he will be subscribed.
