Bible Study
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Reference: Romans 7:21
Topic: “Practice What
You Preach”
Do
you know anyone that practices the “law”?
Attorneys, judges and other legal practitioners are expected to obey the
very same law they have vowed to uphold.
Those who practice or enforce the law, but disregard the same law are
considered “hypocrites”. (hupokrites
(hoop-ok-ree-tace'); an actor under an assumed character (stage-player), i.e.
(figuratively) a dissembler ("hypocrite"). Every medical professional has taken an oath
to “practice medicine honestly”. The “Hippocratic
oath - requires a new physician
to swear upon a number of healing gods that he will uphold a number of
professional ethical standards. Thus, we
have adopted best practices that safeguard our commitment to do the right
thing. However, how does this same
commitment solidify our vow to obey God’s Word?
The lesson aim is to reaffirm and reevaluate our
understanding of “the law of God”. More
importantly, can we articulate with clarity the ongoing struggles we face as
HIS “witnesses”? Paul’s experiences have
brought him to this conclusion, “for I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,)
dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that
which is good I find not”. Paul goes a
step further and describes his struggle as a war between his flesh and his
mind. (7:23; Gal. 5:17-18)
Paul’s overall concern for the Roman congregation is that they
hadn’t identified the biggest hindrance that impedes their progress and growth
in the Lord. The presence of Evil! Rom
7:21: “I find then a law,
that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. (KJV) Rom 7:21-22 – “I have discovered this principle of life—that when I
want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. (NLT) Rom 7:21-22
–“It happens so regularly that it's predictable. The moment I decide to do
good, sin is there to trip me up.” (from THE MESSAGE)
As a result of their lack of understanding Paul testifies
about his personal struggles and experience with the same issue. However, his confession serves as an bails
bondsman to free him from the bondage sin creates for those that are “ignorant”.
(agnoeo (ag-no-eh'-o) - not to know (through lack of
information or intelligence); by implication, to ignore (through
disinclination)
There are several passages of scripture that connect Paul’s
observation in verse 21 that provide clarity to the saints in Corinth . (Is 6:5-8; Zech 3:1-4) In verses 24 and 25a the apostle presents a
solution to his personal struggle that can be adopted by current readers of
this epistle: “Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this
life that is dominated by sin and death? 25 Thank God! The answer is in Jesus
Christ our Lord.” (NLT)
Paul’s final statement to the church focuses on the
misunderstanding of how we struggle to maintain control of our thoughts.
No comments:
Post a Comment