Two Me’s
Chris Cunningham

Rom 7:16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. 17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

Paul clearly sates in verse 16, “I do that which I would not.” “I do it.” Then in verse 17 he clearly states that, “it is no more I that do it.” There is an I that is doing it, and one that is not. Confusing? Not if you are a believer in Christ, a new creation in Christ Jesus. Contradictory? Not if you have a spiritual understanding of the work of God IN a sinner as well as the work of God FOR a sinner.

Similar language is used in Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. The word “live” in this verse does not mean merely alive but it has to do with action, the life lived or acted out. The life of faith, obedience, worship and love for the Lord Jesus Christ, is both us, and not us. Just as the life of sin described in our text in Romans 7, is both me and not me.

The “me” Paul refers to in Galatians 2:20 is the “me” that had believed on Christ, the new heart, the “new man.” The “me” he is talking about in Romans 7 is clearly identified in verse 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. It is important that he identify that it is the flesh he refers to, and he is careful to do that, so we will know which “me” is being described.

Paul is not excusing his sin and trying to avoid blame for it, when he says, it is no more I that do it. He is simply describing accurately, the life of the believer. How can someone who truly loves and believes on Christ, deny Him and rebel against Him? Simple, it is not the “I” who believes on Him, that is denying Him. The flesh never believed on Christ. John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing. . .

How can a God-hating, rebellious, wretched, vile worm love and worship the Lord Jesus Christ? Simple, it is I, yet not I, but Christ that dwelleth in me. We have the Spirit of Christ, and that Spirit warreth against the flesh. It is untainted by the flesh, but all of our actions are tainted by the flesh, because we do nothing that is independent of our sin nature. Yet we do love, worship, believe etc.

No man can explain this, but we do believe what is revealed, though we cannot understand it with our puny brains. Those who have the new heart, rejoice that we are not left with only that old one in which “dwelleth no good thing.” When God saved us, He accomplished redemption and righteousness FOR us, and He performed a miracle of grace IN us. Every time a sinner worships the Lord Jesus, it is either self-righteousness, or this miracle of grace.