The Believer’s War with Indwelling Sin: Part 2 | Romans 7:14-25

Romans 6 held up the great victory we have over sin through our union with Christ. Because we have been crucified with Christ, we have been set free from sin (6:6–7). Now, Romans 7:14–25 deals with the reality of remaining sin. While believers are already justified in Christ, we are not yet fully delivered from indwelling sin. Three times in these verses, Paul speaks of sin still dwelling in us even after our conversion. In other words, there is still a war in us between the law of God and the law of sin (7:25). The decisive victory has been won, but we are still called to fight! In this message, we will discuss the good that comes from the believer’s ongoing war with indwelling sin.

Take-Home Message: Sin no longer rules over me, but sin still dwells within me.

Two Truths for Believers: 

1. I am already justified in Christ.
2. I am not yet fully delivered from indwelling sin.

Two extremes to Avoid:

• Perfectionism: The idea that I can be made perfectly holy and completely free from sin in this life.
• Defeatism: The idea that I cannot make progress in the Christian life.

The Believer’s War with Indwelling Sin:

• My war with indwelling sin teaches me to delight in God’s Law (21-23).
• My war with indwelling sin prepares me for final deliverance through Christ (24-25).
• My war with indwelling sin equips me to turn and strengthen others (Lk. 22:31-32)