Explore the Bible Series for Nov. 6: Freedom from bondage brings its own struggles

Posted: 10/25/05

Explore the Bible Series for Nov. 6

Freedom from bondage brings its own struggles

• Romans 7:4-6, 14-25

By Trey Turner

Canyon Creek Baptist Church, Temple

What do people do with freedom? It is not a silly question. What to do with freedom is a real problem for those who have come out of bondage. The Apostle Paul acknowledges to live in freedom is a conscious effort teetering toward impossibility.

Brooks Hatlen is a character in the movie The Shawshank Redemption. He is called an “institution” man—meaning he has been in prison for so long he does not know how to be free. A character in the movie who also acts as the narrator says, “These prison walls are funny. First you hate ’em, then you get used to ’em. Enough time passes, gets so you depend on them. That’s institutionalized. They send you here for life; that’s exactly what they take. The part that counts, anyways.”

After Brooks’ release from prison, he finds life unbearable and kills himself. This prompts a person to ask, “What do you do with freedom?”

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Paul talks about living outside the walls of sin’s incarceration and how to live with freedom. Not only have people been freed from sin, but freed to live useful lives for God. This means a person must learn to live with freedom—living new patterns. Interestingly, Jesus did not have to teach the disabled people he healed how to walk. He enabled those shaky legs to walk. Similarly, those who have been freed from the prison of sin can experience freedom never before experienced. Jesus enables them to live righteous lives, and Paul tells how.

Accept the demand (Romans 7:4-6)

Paul says since Christians have been freed by Jesus Christ, they are to learn to use their freedom to serve Christ. This is done by living spirit-filled lives. As in the movie, there is a prison culture that does not simply go away when one puts on civilian clothes and walks from the familiar walls. Where does a person go? What does he or she do?

The Christian is expected to take advantage of the new possibilities, not by going into old patterns, but by starting to follow Christ’s Spirit.

Admit the desires (Romans 7:14-16)

This section also is marked by contrasts, death vs. life, spiritual vs. unspiritual, good vs. evil. These are the choices of a Christian’s freedom. Paul acknowledges the old life and how it has influence in the new life. Listen to the respect Paul has for the spiritual nature of God’s good word—the precepts of his Law. Paul does not call the law bad; instead, he says how difficult it is to live against the nature and patterns people know in this world.

Acknowledge the difficulty (Romans 7:17-23)

Verse 18 says that because the difference is so glaring, Paul knows nothing good lives in him. He admits the influence of the sinful nature. Paul talks about this “law” at work in him. It is different from the “law” understood as the commandments or that which comes primarily from Moses, the law giver. The law Paul finds working would be best understood as a principle—Murphy’s Law; something one cannot thwart.

There is this pattern at work, the gravity of sin which pulls a believer down. The gravity is so great that even with the greatest of zeal and intention, when Paul tries to be faithful to God, he finds himself unfaithful. Similarly, when Paul wants to stop wrong behavior, he cannot. This does not make him or anyone question the security of his salvation. Instead, it confirms the greatness of that salvation.

Affirm the deliverer (Romans 7:24-25)

Since Paul cannot always overcome his selfish and sinful desires, he acknowledges his need for power beyond his good intentions. “Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!” Chapter eight finishes the Christian’s struggle against sin by showing exactly how to live by the Holy Spirit.

What can be done if the Christian does not first recognize God’s desire for her or his life? The Christian has been saved from sin and saved for abundant life. If the Christian then admits desires and how difficult the struggle is, then progress is being made for growth. How great the despair if the Christian does not find the ability to meet God’s standard God’s way. Every person needs the power only God can give in order to live by the Spirit. Discipleship is encapsulated in these verses. Chapter 7 speaks plainly about every Christian’s struggle, concluding, albeit shortly with the answer to that struggle. Chapter 8 uncovers the answer more fully.

Discussion questions

• The Law said, “Do not covet.” And when it did, sin sprang to life and killed Paul. At what specific point does your Christian walk break down?

• Do you understand God’s desire to bring that sin under control or are you happy to live with it? Admit your own desires and comfort with that sin. Admit the difficulty you have had with it in the past and currently have, letting God show you his power hand-in-hand with your obedience to overcome this struggle by his power.