Overcoming Our Struggles with Sin
Romans 7:1-25
 
The Bible attests that sin is deadly (Rom 6:23). Sin is like quick sand. Quick sand is a deadly trap. It kills those who step on it. While inside, the more you struggle, the more you get drowned. The only way to get out of quick sand is by holding or reaching to a strong branch, rope, or a helping hand. Without these outside help, a trapped individual struggles to survive.
Likewise, we are confronted daily with our struggles with sin. On our own, we are powerless and helpless with sin. Although sin overwhelms, bonds, and corrupts, yet it is possible to overcome. In Romans 7, Paul expressed his struggles with sin.  Along with his struggles, Paul also mentioned ways on how to overcome them.
           
First, we overcome sin through the death of the Lord (Rom 7:1-6). We are released from sin because Jesus died on the cross. Fortunately, it is not the law that sets us free from the power and penalty of sin but the death of Jesus (Rom 6:23b). According to Paul, the law was insufficient to save us from sin. It was insufficient because we are only bound by the law during our lifetime. In the afterlife, the law has no authority over us (Rom 7:1-3).  Furthermore, our sinful nature works within the law (Rom 7:5). Sin corrupts not only our being but the way we perceive the law (Rom 7:5).
With the inability of the law over sin, Jesus made it possible for us to overcome sin through His death. His death on the cross brought freedom in our lives over sin. Through the body of Jesus, we died to the law (Rom 7:4), therefore we are no longer bound by the law but we belong to Jesus (Rom 7:4b). As a result, we bear fruit for God (Rom 7:4d) and not the fruit of death (Rom 7:5c). Furthermore, we are released from sin so that we can have newness of life. Paul said, we can now live in the way of the Spirit (Rom 7:6) and no longer bound by sin or in the “old way of the written code” (Rom 7:6).
           
Secondly, we overcome sin through the knowledge of the commandments of the Lord (Rom 7:7-13). The law or the commandments of God is not bad. In fact, it is holy, righteous, good (Rom 7:12) and spiritual (Rom 7:14). There are no bad things about the commandments because it comes from God himself. With all the beautiful intentions of God, the commandments exposed the unpleasant nature of sin.
In fact, without the commandments of God, we are ignorant about sin because it defines sin for us (Rom 7:7). Although sin can seize every opportunity so that every kind of covetous desire might spring to life (Rom 7:8) in us, yet without God’s commandments, we are left unaware and ignorant about it. But with our knowledge of the commandments of the Lord we recognized sin as sin (Rom 7:13).       
           
Lastly, we overcome sin through the salvation of the Lord (Rom 7:14-25). After we read Romans 7, we can actually sympathize with Paul because most of us go through the same struggles with sin. Although we know the death of Jesus on the cross and God’s commandments, yet we struggle daily and eventually fall into sin. Although we know that sin corrupts our being, yet we keep on sinning. Just like a dog that eats its own vomit. Though the image can be unattractive but this is the truth. This is our constant struggle with sin.  
Our struggle with sin transcends culture, gender, and status. Everyone struggles with sin. Repeatedly, we desire to do what is good, but we fail to carry it out (Rom 7:15-19). Like Paul, we often conclude that we are “wretched” (Rom. 7:24). However, in the midst of our wretched condition, we can give thanks to God. Amidst our wretched condition, Jesus can absolutely rescue us. As our savior, Jesus extends his saving hand in order to pull us out of sin.  We can praise the Lord because Jesus “rescued” us from our sins. He died for us while we are still powerless, sinful, and ungodly (Rom 5:6-8). In fact, the moment we confess Jesus as our Lord and savior, we can experience His saving act amidst our sin (Rom 10: 9).  

Paul experienced salvation in Jesus. For this reason he was able to say “there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set him free from the law of sin and death” (Rom 8:1-2). Just like Paul, Jesus does not condemn us. We are loved by God regardless of our sin. With this, we can truly say, that we can overcome our struggles with
sin through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen!

by Pastor Dong Vilan
Breadcom Pastor

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