Romans 7 -- A Paraphrase

Romans 7 - A Paraphrase

"Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!" Romans 51:2

In Romans 6 we discover the truth that we have died with Christ and are now dead to sin. Through Christ we can live victoriously. In Romans 8 we see that this is only possible when we allow Christ to live out His live through us by His Spirit.

In between Romans 6 and 8 is chapter 7 where we see the frustration of trying to live this life on our own vs. Christ living His life through me.

Here is a heart-revealing paraphrase of Romans 7 penned by Dr. Paul David Tripp in his book, WHITER THAN SNOW -- Meditations on Sin and Mercy (Crossway)

I am a mass of contradictions; I don't want to be but I am.
I preach a gospel of peace, but my life isn't always driven by peace.
I talk about a Jesus who alone can fully satisfy the soul, but I am often not satisfied.
I celebrate a theology of amazing grace, but often react in ungrace.
And if I rested in God's control, why do I seek it for myself?
Even in moments when I think I am prepared, I end up doing what I didn't want to do.
Irritation.
Impatience.
Envy.
Discontent.
Wrong talk.
Anger.
Self-focus.
Are not the fruit of the new life, are not the way of grace.
So there is this law operating inside of me.
When I set out with desire to do good, evil follows me wherever I go.
There is this war that rages inside of me, between a desire for good and sin that is anything but good.
There are times when I feel like a prisoner, held against my will.
I didn't plan to be mad in the grocery store, but the guy made me mad.
I didn't plan to be discontent, but it just enveloped me in the quietness of the car.
That discussion wasn't suppose to degenerate into an argument, but it did.
I am thankful for God's grace, but there is daily evidence that I'm still in need of help.
That battle inside of me cannot be solved by
Theology
Strategies
Principles
Techniques
Plans
Preparation
Helpful hints
Outlines.
I have been humbled by the war I cannot win.
I have been grieved by the desires I cannot conquer.
I have been confronted by actions I cannot excuse.
And I have come to confess that what I really need is rescue.
So have mercy on me, O God,
According to Your unfailing love,
According to Your great compassion
Blot out my transgressions.
Wash away all my iniquity
And cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my transgressions
And my sin is always before me.
I embrace the rescue that could only be found in You!
Thanks be to God -- through Jesus Christ our Lord!

I don't know about you, brothers, but I have been there ... way too often. I am thankful that I am slowly learning that the only way to live this Christian life, is too allow Christ to live it through me. -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

God's WORD for YOU and ME: Proverbs 5; Psalm 146-147; 1 Corinthians 15:1-28

Great Quote: The very essence of anxious care is imagining that we are wiser than God. When we worry, we put ourselves in his place and try to do for him what he intends to do for us. -- Charles Haddon Spurgeon