THE ROLE OF GRACE AND LAW FOR THE CHRISTIAN
By the seventh chapter of Romans, Paul attests to the fact that Christians are dead to sin, alive to God, and slaves to righteousness. Up to this point, he has dealt with righteousness in relation to the law and grace. Romans chapter 7 is known for the great debate it has provoked about holiness and sanctification. Who is the ‘wretched man’ of verse 24? Is this person regenerate or unregenerate? If this person is regenerate, then is he or she mature, immature, or backsliding? Is the believer expected to view the law as evil, believing that the law provokes and prompts us to sin? Are Christians free to live apart from the law? Paul answers these questions in Romans 7:14-25. He does this in two ways. First, Romans 7 establishes that there is warfare between flesh and spirit, between our old Adamic nature and our new nature in Christ. Second, he establishes in Romans 7:14-25 that there is nothing we can do for God—but He intends to do everything through us.
In Romans chapters 6 and 7, Paul addresses two extremes. One extreme argues, ‘Since we are under grace, then we are free to sin’. The other extreme argues, ‘To be sure, we are saved by grace, but we are to live under God’s Law if we are going to please Him.’ Paul addresses the first group of extremists in Romans chapter 6 while addressing the second group in chapter 7. Romans chapter 6 addresses how we are to stop doing bad, evil, and wrong; it taints and distorts our relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Romans chapter 7 teaches us that our ‘good works’ will never be good enough. One aspect of the argument addresses a common thought to those who use grace as a license o ...