This describes the conflict of a mature Christian man, in fact, the conflict of an Apostle of Jesus Christ in his later years. So the struggle Paul speaks of is a struggle we all face and will continue to face — if we are Christians. And the defeat he speaks of is the experience of all — even when we are well along in the Christian life — apart from the Holy Spirit.
However, Paul is not writing these words to excuse our defeat, still less to encourage it. He is thinking of the victory that can and will be ours. He wants us to achieve victory in the struggle against sin by the Holy Spirit. But the point here is that the victory we want comes only through this struggle and not by some secret formula for success or by some easy way of avoiding it.
I believe that at this point we Americans particularly need to hear what Paul is saying, for we hate conflict and are usually trying to avoid it by any means possible. Let me suggest three ways that American Christians try to avoid the struggle against sin, which (according to the teaching of Romans 7) will always be part of our lives.
For a transcript of this sermon follow the outside web link.
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Ken Banks
The War Within The Battle for Holiness Bethel Presbyterian Church
