A Word about the Immoveable Object from Romans 7

Today I want to share a word about the immoveable object as I comment on Romans 7:14-25 which tells us:

For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good.  So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? hanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.

So, what happens when the irresistible force meets the immovable object: Usually a mess!  

I remember well how my wife Geri, and our son, Kenyon would figuratively butt heads when Kenyon was a child. They alternated roles; sometimes she was the immoveable object and sometimes he was. I am glad those days are long over!

In almost every person there is an irresistible impulse to do good, but it runs into the immovable flesh which refuses to yield control.  Paul discussed this in a personal way in our text for today.

WHAT DID PAUL WANT TO DO?

He wanted to do good. He had a will to do what was right, and he planned to do what was right. He even agreed with the law of God and said that it was good.

I remember when I was learning to drive. It was frustrating when my dad showed me what was doing wrong. I wasn’t frustrated with my dad but myself. What he showed me was what I tried to do, but failing at it.

What are some Good things that both we and Paul might do?

• Attend church, and Bible study groups.
• Give to the support of the church and minister.
• Witness or invite others to church activities.
• Use our gifts in ministry.
• Minister to others' needs.
• Be kind in word and deed.
• Have faith and place our trust in God. 

So, what was Paul's problem? Although he wanted to do good, he didn't! His intentions weren't enough; he didn't follow through. Knowing what needs to be done isn't same as doing it!

I knew a fellow who was always “intending.”  He was always “intending” to do something about this situation or that problem. He did have good intentions but he never acted on them and the problems remained unresolved

WHAT DID PAUL DO?

In short, he sinned:

The good he wanted to do, he didn't. The evil he hated he did. He even said that there was a rule of thumb in verse 21:  The evil he did was inversely proportional to the good he intended!

He really did want to do good, but it was beyond him. Although his spirit (his inner man) desired good, his intentions were overcome by the flesh and they were not carried out.

As we know, the road to hell is paved with good intentions. And for Paul this was an agonizing situation. He despised his weakness and failure, but he could not overcome them.

Why did Paul sin? The same reason that we sin. The flesh is as weak as the spirit is strong and the flesh usually wants what is opposite to our spiritual desires. The works of the flesh found in Galatians 5:19-21, are in stark contrast to the fruit of the Spirit which is found in Galatians 5:22-26. Let me suggest you get a Bible and see for yourself.

Paul wanted the fruit of the Spirit but he actually found himself committing the works of the flesh. And it was tearing him apart!

WHAT COULD PAUL DO?

He could be Dualistic: Serve God on (some) Sundays, but serve Satan the rest of the week.

No!  His conscience couldn't stand this!

He could be Antinomian: He could give in and simply say, "If it feels good do it!"

No!  His flesh would be destroyed! And it would destroy his soul as well. The idea that “If a little is good, a lot is better" is disproved by a gardener who misused the “Miracle Grow” fertilizer.  He put triple the recommended amount on his tomato plants and that caused the tomatoes to grow so fast that they split and were ruined.

He could do what he also commends to us in verses 24-25:

Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.

Paul learned to stay close to Christ. We need to stay close to Christ. As my father told me as we waded out into a lake in waders to fish, “Stay close to me and you won't fall!”

Paul also learned to allow God through His Son and through the Spirit to fight his battles for him. If we do, like Paul, we will produce the Fruit of The Spirit:  love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control

CONCLUSION:

We all can identify with Paul as he writes of his anguish in this passage.  We all know the pain of failing to do what we what to do.  Paul found his solution in the power and grace of Christ.  So can we!

Every blessing, 

Dr. Otis Corbitt