THE INWARD BATTLE OF ROMANS SEVEN -- Tomorrow:
The prevalence and emphasis of the tenets of psychology in the professed church has only served to further obscure the significance of this experience. Approaching the various aspects of the believer's life from the standpoint of the human psyche, as perceived by psychology, brings no advantage to those in Christ. It only serves to muddy the waters for the child of God, because the reasoning does not begin and end with Christ. Lest that be considered to be a foolish statement, we must remember Jesus is, in fact, "the Beginning and the End" (Rev 1:8; 21:6; 22:13). Any approach to assisting believers that is not based on this reality is not from God, and therefore cannot truly bring help to the believer.
I realize this is an unpopular view for many believers, particularly those who are inclined to place a high value on psychological tenets. Notwithstanding, no assessment of a child of God is valid that requires the inclusion of principles of thought not revealed in Scripture. To postulate anything else would be to a reproach God, who is the Creator and Sustainer of mankind.
The Holy Spirit never approaches the inner-experience of the believer from the earthly point of view. Because there "is neither Jew nor Greek . . . bond nor free . . . male nor female . . . in Christ Jesus" (Gal 3:28), those distinctions are never presented as the basis for the analysis of life.
If you are familiar with current religious trends, there is a phenomenal amount of such examinations in the Christian community. People are taught to view their emotional and intellectual lives from their status as men or women, ethnic origin, of other social distinctions. This is neither innocent nor inconsequential. Such approaches throw sand into the eyes of God's people, and are to be rejected.
In Romans seven, we have before us a classic example of true spiritual reasoning. The Spirit will analyze inner turmoil, and the frustration that proceeds from it. He will not introduce a single word concerning racial, gender, or social considerations--not a syllable. He will make no reference to family background, geographical location, or difficult experiences centering in the family. Rather, He will go beneath the surface into the realm where human spirits have no such distinctions.
Inner struggle within the child of God will be viewed as a consequence of salvation. It will be set forth within the context of justification by faith and the imputation of righteousness. Our baptism into the death of Christ initiated this struggle, and our release from the body of flesh and blood will loose us from it. In the meantime, because it is not the basis for condemnation, the nature of inner struggle must be understood, even though the experience itself goes beyond our understanding.
Through the testimony of Paul, the Spirit will appeal to our faith, not our curiosity. He will give no credence to the wisdom of men. He will place a high priority on deliverance from the body, and confirm that the presence of inner conflict is the evidence of spiritual life.
You do well to have a working knowledge of the seventh chapter of Romans. If you are in Christ, you DO have the experience. It only remains for it to be understood in the light of God's great salvation. No other light, however bright it may seem, can expose the truth about man.
PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank You through Jesus Christ for deliverance from the vanity of earthly wisdom.