For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. (Romans 7:14-17)1
Paul places the blame on something that was NOT him. Sinful thoughts come from the source called sin. We sin, but sin is not who we are. Sin acts in our flesh and may even feel like us, but it is not us.
For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells;… (Romans 7:18)
Notice that Paul is making a distinction between himself and his flesh by putting “that is, in my flesh” in parentheses. This is why he said He didn’t put any confidence in it!
…for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. (Romans 7:18-20)
Paul is talking about the complete inability of the flesh to overcome the power of sin even though the flesh will give it its best shot. However, good intentions simply don’t cut it.
Some modern Bible translations interpret the Greek word “sarx”2 in verse 18 and later in verse 25 as “sinful nature” rather than “flesh” as if a believer still has a nature that is sinful. “Sarx” simply means the flesh or body of man. “Sarx” does not mean sinful. The connection is made because the flesh is where sin operates, but the confusion comes in when theologians make the leap that we as believers are sinful by nature. Our flesh was not born again in the new creation, and we will get new glorified perfect bodies when we go to heaven. However, in our spirits at the center of who we are, there is no nature to sin. How can we have a nature that is sinful when we are a new creation and partakers of Christ’s divine nature?3 We have a new nature. The old has passed away!
Unfortunately, because of mistranslations of the word “sarx,” many Christians believe that their ongoing battle is with their own sinful nature. So here’s the thought process: I have a sinful nature… I am a sinner… I’m just doing what comes naturally to me.
Tragically, many believe that in their innermost being they are sinful. If you are a Christian, nothing could be further from the truth! We inherited the sinful nature from Adam, but through the cross, the old creation with its sin nature died! Through the resurrection, the new creation with the nature of God’s Son rose! We are righteous, and we want what is holy!
The enemy would have us think the work is unfinished, and we are still sinners in the hands of an angry God so we’ll kill ourselves focusing on good works to make it to the finish line with His acceptance. People who believe this lie don’t live their lives with the wisdom, peace, and guidance of God because they believe their lives are dependent on themselves. In truth, we can’t do anything without God! Jesus said,
“I can of Myself do NOTHING.” (John 5:30, emphasis mine)
These are the words of Jesus, and they are the words of the new man created in the image of Jesus. The lie that Adam and Eve believed in the garden is the same lie that the power of sin in the flesh shouts. It’s “I don’t need God,” or perhaps it’s the mixed up message, “Jesus and I are partners. I do my part, He does His. He’s not obligated to do His part if I don’t do mine.” Sounds fair enough, doesn’t it? But our spirits cry, “Apart from Jesus, I can do nothing!”
The equation of religion: Jesus + me = everything.
The equation of grace: Jesus + zero = everything.
(from pages 154-156 of Unveiling Jesus)
Want more from Tricia Gunn? Check out excerpts from the Unveiling Jesus 20-part series!
Unveiling Jesus, by Tricia Gunn, is a verse by verse study of the pure gospel of grace. It’s an amazing journey of love, identity, and freedom in Christ.
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1All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New King James Version. Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.
2G4561 (sarx), Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, website: http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/Lexicon/Lexicon.cfm?strongs=G4561&t=KJV, accessed on 5-24-14
32 Peter 1:4″
