In Romans 7:2424O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? (Romans 7:24), Paul says, “O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” And then in 2 Corinthians 12:22I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. (2 Corinthians 12:2) he says, “I knew a man in Christ ... ” These two terms appear to be in contrast to one another, and we will take them up in this way. The “wretched man” defines a person lacking deliverance, and “a man in Christ” is one who knows deliverance in Christ.
A WRETCHED MAN
The “wretched man,” in Romans 7:14-2514For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. 16If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. 17Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 18For 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. 19For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 21I 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. (Romans 7:14‑25), is a born again soul who is not yet resting in faith on the finished work of Christ. He, therefore, is not in the full Christian position before God, nor does he have the indwelling Spirit (Rom. 8:99But 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. (Romans 8:9)).
In this passage, the Apostle describes an earnest soul in this state, who is trying to keep the flesh under control and to live a holy life, but failing miserably (vss. 18-21). He has two natures, which are depicted in the “I” that delights to do good (vs. 22) and the “I” that does evil (vs. 23); but he lacks the power to “perform that which is good.” When a soul is burdened with the desire to be holy but feels powerless, he becomes filled with dismay and wretchedness. He hates the evil that he does, being unable to restrain the flesh. He lacks deliverance because he is looking within himself for the power.
While in this wretched state, a person will often make the most destructive mistake of turning to the law for deliverance. Assuming that the law is the answer, the person will set it before his soul as a standard for his life. If it is not the Law of Moses, it will be some self-imposed standard of holiness. But either way, it is not the way of deliverance. As a result, he only makes himself more miserable. God will provide it in the Person of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, but he must first learn the lesson that the power for deliverance is not found in himself.
A MAN IN CHRIST
Romans 8:11There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Romans 8:1), says, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.” Here the Apostle describes the full Christian position of “a man in Christ.” The chapter unfolds the normal Christian state of being “in the Spirit” (vs. 9), and “led by the Spirit” (vs. 14). The struggle as depicted in chapter 7 is over, and the believer is seen as having a present deliverance from sin within (vss. 1-4), and awaiting a future deliverance from the presence of sin all around him—at the Lord’s coming (vss. 18-23).
Deliverance from the miserable state in Romans 7 into the happy state of Romans 8 does not come until the person’s self-confidence and self-hope is shattered and he looks outside of himself for deliverance from the lusts of his sin-nature. Note, he does not say, “O wretched man that I am, WHAT shall deliver me ... ?” He says, “O wretched man that I am! WHO shall deliver me ... ?” (vs. 24) This shows that deliverance is not found in a philosophy or in a self-help program, but in a Person—the Lord Jesus Christ. It’s significant that all the while the man struggles with the flesh, as seen in Romans 7, the Spirit of God is not once mentioned. But the moment he looks away from himself to a Deliverer and sees his place “in Christ,” the Spirit of God is mentioned many times, as noted in Romans 8. The man in Romans 8 is seen as sealed with the Spirit and in the full Christian position and is enjoying a state of peace and deliverance.
Second Corinthians 12:1-3 describes the state of “a man in Christ” who knows deliverance in his soul and is enjoying communion with God. The wretched man is occupied with himself (Rom. 7:14-2414For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. 16If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. 17Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 18For 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. 19For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 21I 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? (Romans 7:14‑24)). “I,” “me,” “my,” are mentioned some 40 times! But the man in Christ is so thoroughly occupied with Christ and heavenly things that he has lost track of himself. He was not conscious of whether he was in the body or out of it! The woman in Luke 13:1111And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself. (Luke 13:11) is a picture of one in the wretched condition. She was “bent” over, and as a result, all she could see was herself. But when the Lord touched her, she was lifted up and able to look into His face. Consequently, she no longer saw herself.
Some Practical Considerations
While the struggle in Romans 7:14-2514For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. 16If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. 17Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 18For 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. 19For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 21I 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. (Romans 7:14‑25) is technically not a Christian experience, many Christians experience it in a modified form. We say modified because the man described in Romans 714For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. 16If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. 17Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 18For 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. 19For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 21I 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. (Romans 7:14‑25) is viewed as not having the Holy Spirit, which is normal to every true Christian. The struggle with the flesh that Christians often experience is more properly described in Galatians 5:16-1716This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. (Galatians 5:16‑17). It says, “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.” This is referring to a Christian who has the Spirit but isn’t walking “in the Spirit” (vs. 16). The struggle in Romans 716If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. 17Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. (Romans 7:16‑17) is between the flesh and the new nature in a child of God, whereas the struggle in Galatians 516This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. (Galatians 5:16‑17) is between the flesh and the Spirit in a believer who is not walking in the Spirit. (Nor should we connect the spiritual struggle in Ephesians 6:10-1810Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; (Ephesians 6:10‑18) with that in Galatians 510I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be. 11And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased. 12I would they were even cut off which trouble you. 13For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. 14For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. 15But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. 16This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. (Galatians 5:10‑18). They are different. Ephesians 610Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; (Ephesians 6:10‑18) describes a struggle that results when a Christian walks in the Spirit, whereas Galatians 510I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be. 11And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased. 12I would they were even cut off which trouble you. 13For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. 14For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. 15But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. 16This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. (Galatians 5:10‑18) is a struggle that results when he doesn’t walk in the Spirit.)
We all know too well what it is to have a lack of spiritual power and not be able to say no to sin in our lives, even though we have the Spirit in us. Why is this so? Because: It’s one thing to have the Spirit of God in us, and it’s quite another to have Him there acting for us in a present on-going way. The sovereign side of deliverance is the gift of the Spirit, but the responsible side of it is that we must let the Spirit fill us so that His power will be present to keep the flesh down.
In Romans 8:5-135For 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. 12Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. (Romans 8:5‑13), Paul explains that there are two domains, or spheres, in which a person can live: a sphere that pertains to “the flesh” and a sphere that pertains to “the Spirit.” He says, “They that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh” (vs. 5a). To “mind” something means “to pay attention to it.” He doesn’t go into specifics as to what these things are, but we all know what kind of things the flesh goes in for. This is the sphere where the lost man lives: he knows no other domain. But it’s possible for Christians to live in that sphere too.
Then he says, “They that are after the Spirit [do mind] the things of the Spirit” (vs. 5b). This is the sphere where God intends the Christian to live. Again, Paul doesn’t give us specifics as to what these things are. Simply put, they are those things that have to do with the interests of Christ. It would be studying the Scriptures, praying, singing hymns that make melody in our hearts, going to Bible meetings, calling or writing to fellow Christians to encourage them, visiting people with a word of encouragement, sharing the gospel, passing out gospel tracts, doing good works for necessary uses, etc.
The point the Apostle is making here is that these two spheres are exactly the opposite of each other. Their interests are poles apart. One serves the interests of self, and the other the interests of Christ. A road, so to speak, branches out from each that leads away from the other. One leads to what is truly “life and peace,” and the other leads to “death” (vs. 6).
Then in verses 12-13, Paul draws a sobering conclusion, “For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify [put to death] the deeds of the body, ye shall live.” His point here is that we can choose which sphere we want to live in. He says, “If ye live after the flesh, ye shall die.” This is a solemn word. If we choose to live in the sphere of the flesh, it will lead to moral death in our lives. The way that Paul uses death here is different from most other places in the Bible. The Apostle is not talking about physical death, but moral death in the believer’s life, which inevitably results in failure. Death, as we know, always carries the idea of separation. In this verse, it refers to a separation, or a breach, in our link of communion with God. The point here is simple; if we live in the sphere of the flesh we can expect that it is going to bring forth death. But he also says, “If ye through the Spirit do mortify [put to death] the deeds of the body, ye shall live.” This means that if we chose to live in the sphere of the Spirit, we will have plenty of power to live a holy life for the glory of God. This is what it is to be filled with the Spirit (Eph. 5:1818And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; (Ephesians 5:18)). It means that if we live in the right sphere, the flesh will not get a foothold on us. In Galatians 5:1616This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16), Paul speaks of the same thing, saying, “Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”
The reason that we lose the battle to this inward enemy is that we spend too much time in the wrong sphere, minding the things of the flesh. We may ask ourselves, “In which of these two spheres do I live? What primarily occupies my life? Is it those things that pertain to the interests of Christ, or is it fleshly things?” It’s been said that “if we pamper the flesh, we will hamper the Spirit.” Therefore, it is time that we started living in the right sphere, and experienced the power of God and joy of Christian living in our lives.