This is a very important chapter in the bible that teaches about righteousness by faith . In fact this topic righteousness by faith is more of an experience than a message . But this is so key to understand and have in our lives, that unless we have this message we will not be in heaven . This message of Romans chapter 7 summary is about salvation being from God and not men .
We cannot save ourselves. God is the only one that can save us. This issue about our works or faith is very important . As only the intention of why we do things makes the whole difference. We all do works, but the righteousness by faith group does the works because they love Jesus and others. The legalistic group do works so that they can be saved . The think that their works gain them an entrance to heaven and by their works are enough to save themselves. Let us dig deep into Romans chapter 7 summary
RO 7 7 Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?
The law the ten commandments are binding until we die . Because God has the ten commandments, then we can conclude that sin still exists.
1 JN 3 4 Sin is the transgression of the law.
If there was no 10 commandments, there would be no sin . Sin exist because God has a law. This is very important to establish as many Christians go to the deep end saying there is no more ten commandments and there is no more law. The other side we do not want to take is to believe we are saved by keeping the law. This no one can do . No one can keep the law unless Jesus gives us his righteousness by faith . This is the great secret of being converted.
RO 7 2 For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.
Many people say there is no more commandments because they take the verse that says We are not under the law, and they conclude wrong . Not being under the law means that we are not under the condemnation of the law. Here Paul is not saying that the law is done away with . As many other passages Paul talks about sin today and people becoming worse and worse. Here Paul confirms that the law of staying married is for life. It is part of the ten commandments.
RO 7 3 So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.
Here is the law that says once we are married it is for life with one person . But Gods grace come in our lives and God is very merciful on this topic. Here before talking about grace, Paul establishes that the 10 commandments are still binding ?
In Acts 13 17 18 it says that Paul , even many years after Jesus died was still keeping the sabbath on Saturday according to the 10 commandments. All apostles kept the sabbath , all the prophets kept the sabbath on Saturday . Even most Christians for 300 years after Jesus died kept the sabbath . But does this mean we are saved by keeping things ? No we are saved by grace, even obedience comes from God . It is the power of God .
RO 7 4 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.
When become dead to the law when we understand that our works are worthless to save ourselves. Only the death of Jesus on the cross is enough for pardon of our sins, and only Jesus can give us his righteousness . Why ? Because we have no righteousness of our own .
Dead to the law doe snot mean that we do not obey. But God obeys through us .
In Romans chapter 7 summary we find that legalists claim to be Christians, but they are separated from Christ. This is a good comparison with Galatians where Paul says that those who are trying to save themselves are separated from Christ. The opposite is to be dead to the law, because Jesus gives us power to keep the law through us .
RO 7 5 For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.
Those fruits unto death all people do them as the bible says there is none righteousness not one . All have turned away and become dirty spiritually . But when one believes to be saved by works then even their works are tainted with selfishness. Because they do those works to be saved and for an ulterior motive. Those fruits are unto death as no one can be saved by doing their own works the which are done not because they love others, but to try to be saved and gain approval of God and others.
RO 7 6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.
This does not mean we do not have to obey the 10 commandments. It means that because Jesus by faith gives us when we ask Him power of his righteousness by faith then we are dead to the law, as even obedience comes from God. In this then we can relax and enjoy life and relax as we know that our works are no good and as we spend time with Jesus . He does the works through us automatically .
RO 7 7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.
Only through the law can we know sin. Here Paul confirms that the law cannot be done away as sin is the transgression of the law. Without law there would be no sin . Paul says the law still exists. But because of Jesus righteousness then we can be a peace knowing that all obedience comes from God.
RO 7 8 But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.
Once one knows what sin is then it becomes very clear that we are sinners and that no one on earth is good. There is not one good person , the bible says he that says he has no sin is a liar and the truth is not in him . Once we see clearly what sin is then we also realize that there eis no power in us to do good.
That even our best works are done in selfishness. Then what is the solution ? It is to ask God for his righteousness everyday . This becomes an amazing Christian life as with God doing all the works through me i can relax and be a peace. This is an amazing gift.
RO 7 9 For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.
If someone does not know the truth, then they are not responsible for following it . But once we know that Jesus died for us and we know how much God loves us . That this is the truth if we reject it we reject truth . Romans chapter 7 summary gives us the way our which is Jesus . And let is not mix works with faith . The bible says if we are saved by faith, then it is no more of works . It is either one of the other. The only thing is that if we have faith then works comes from God automatically .
RO 7 10 And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.
The bible says that the wages of sin is death. But God sent his son Jesus so that we could live forever and be not only forgiven our sins, but also that we could receive the power and will to do good, which is righteousness by faith .
RO 7 11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.
When we are honest we realize that keeping the commandments is impossible for men . Sadly many Christiania and others do not accept the fact that they is no good thing in them . They still cling to some belief that in human beings there is something good. This is not true . But while we believe this then we cannot receive the only solution for sin, righteousness by faith .
RO 7 12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.
Paul confirms that the law is still binding, but we are not saved by the law. This is the great distinction Do you obey to be saved or because you love Jesus ? The intention makes all the difference.
RO 7 13 Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.
This is the very important part many are missing. Realizing that there is nothing good is us. In fact even after understanding this topic, it might take a while to return to it many times until one finally understand and appropriates in themselves the fact that the only solution for sin is God helping us and giving us his righteousness. Some might understand it in the mind yet still cling to some goodness in themselves.
RO 7 14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
This is the condition of all human beings we are sinful there is nothing good in us. We have all turned away from God . Our mouths are an open grave.
RO 7 15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. RO 7 16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
Here Paul realizes that sin can be so powerful that we do the things that we do not want to do .
RO 7 17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. RO 7 18 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.
The legalists and Pharisees cannot understand that because their perception of sin is distorted. They think they are good when they do not see sin in themselves. We need to be honest and realize that we are not good. But pride makes us look at what others are doing instead of what we are doing . And so many of the religious and non religious people are blind to their own condition . They do not see how sinful they are, thus they can never receive Gods righteousness.
RO 7 19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
Automatically there is a power in human beings which is evil that we inherited from Adam and Eve . Only God can break this power.
RO 7 20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. RO 7 21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
Paul realized what sin is, and he saw it what for it was. Pride, selfishness, unloving, unkind, these things are sin .
RO 7 22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
Paul loves the law of God when he was a Pharisee he thought that keeping the law was the thing to do . Yet the Pharisees do not love others, In fact the only thing that matters is to love others . This is what makes you to be converted. It can only come from God.
RO 7 23 But 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.
This power comes from the garden of Eden when Adam sinned. Yet Jesus died so that we could receive his power, the same power that Jesus had on earth to overcome sin .
RO 7 24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
This is the great realization of men, unless you and me realize how sinful we are then there is no hope of heaven, no hope of receiving Jesus righteousness. We will continue to work our way to nowhere as our works cannot gain heaven . Especially of those works are done to gin something else, even for gaining heaven . They are not done in pure love for others and God . They have no power with God.
RO 7 25 I 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.
This realization is the great step to receive God righteousness. This righteousness we need to ask everyday . As it is not in ourselves. When we make this realization which we see Paul spend almost the whole chapter explaining how sinful we are as human beings.
This time spend explaining this is very important as we know that even if we repeat this many times we will continue to believe that we are good. This is why Paul spends so much time explaining that in human beings there is nothing good . Are you ready now to receive Jesus righteousness ? Repeat after me, Father God forgive my sins, come into my heart, give me your righteousness . Help and bless me please in the name of Jesus amen .
