Paul was an educated, very learned Pharisee. He was a citizen of Rome in the 1^st century AD. He understood Old Testament law and the Pharisee laws well. Before he met the risen Jesus Christ, he was called Saul. The level of his education makes the book of Romans hard for me to understand. Oh, Paul, why couldn’t you speak more plainly?

Paul’s credentials

Acts 22:³I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.

Who was Gamaliel?

Acts 5:³⁴Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;

Paul identifies his wretchedness and struggle with the law of sin

Romans 7:²¹ I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.²²For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: ²³But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. ²⁴O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? ²⁵I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

Why does Paul call himself wretched?

This ‘body of death’ could be a medifor for a dead body strapped to one’s back. This was a common form of punishment under Roman law. So ta s that dead body decayed it would eventually cause sickness and a slow death to the one on whose back it was strapped.

Paul gives thanks to God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Do you know how Jesus saves us from the penalty and habit of sin?

Is there a specific type of sin you keep repeating and need freed from? Tell it to Jesus

Paul affirms believers face no condemnation

Romans 8:¹ There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. ²For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. ³For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: ⁴That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. ⁵For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. ⁶For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. ⁷Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. ⁸So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. ⁹But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. ¹⁰And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. ¹¹But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

Notice the absence of condemnation for all those who are in Christ Jesus is now! What does that mean to you?

Does the Spirit of God dwell in you?

What does Paul’s struggle mean to you?

Do you know this song?

And Can It Be? Charles Wesley, pub.1738

1. And can it be that I should gain An int’rest in the Savior’s blood?
   Died He for me, who caused His pain—For me, who Him to death pursued?
   Amazing love! How can it be,
   That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
   • Refrain:
     Amazing love! How can it be,
     That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

2. ’Tis myst’ry all: th’ Immortal dies: Who can explore His strange design?
   In vain the firstborn seraph tries To sound the depths of love divine.
   ’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore, Let angel minds inquire no more.

3. He left His Father’s throne above—So free, so infinite His grace—
   Emptied Himself of all but love, And bled for Adam’s helpless race:
   ’Tis mercy all, immense and free, For, O my God, it found out me!

4. Long my imprisoned spirit lay, Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
   Thine eye diffused a quick’ning ray—I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
   My chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

5. No condemnation now I dread; Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;
   Alive in Him, my living Head, And clothed in righteousness divine,
   Bold I approach th’ eternal throne, And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

Our focus – Hebrews 12:¹ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, ² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God

Our challenge – Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you with an everlasting, unconditional love; has uniquely designed and created only one you; has a good plan for your life; runs with you; and will   accomplish His purposes for you and through you!

Run in His strength alone!

Run being yoked to Emmanuel!

Run with your eyes on the prize!

Run with your focus on His mission: to conform you to the image of Jesus Christ!

Run with the desire to finish strong!

Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!

Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when together you cross your finish line!

Run to His glory alone! Run and keep on running!

Coach Patti