Romans Chapter 7

Almost the whole of modern Christianity thinks that Romans chapter 7 is the nominal experience for the average Christian. They quote these verses...

Ro 7:14 ¶ For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
Ro 7:15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
Ro 7:16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
Ro 7:17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

This they say is Paul's life as a Christian. I too was once decieved and believed that as well. This is a lie straight from the devil. What better lie for Satan to decieve Christians with, to let them think that they just can't help but sin. Paul wanted to be righteous and sin not, but just got up every morning and tried to do what he wanted to, but always ended up doing what he hated. That is the Christian life, just try, fail, confess, try, fail, confess.
Every time you tell someone that believes this that all Christians are dead to all sin and free from all sin, they remember their experience and bring up this chapter. Lets look at some verses that seem to contradict this...

Ro 6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
Ro 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
Ro 6:7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.
Ro 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
Ro 6:18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
Ro 6:22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

I could go on. This is just one chapter. Any reasonable person reading this would have to agree that Christians have the flesh crucified and are free from all sin. Not free of sin. Free from sin.
If this was taught in church it would sure weed out the wolves from among the sheep. Here is another verse from the 1John.

1Jo 3:8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
1Jo 3:9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

From what these verses say, if Paul was talking about the experience of every Christian then we have some serious scripture issues here. These scriptures would be contradicting each other then would they not? If Paul was speaking of his experience as a Christian then from these other verses I would have to come to the conclusion that Paul is a slave to sin and of the devil. Any logical person would have to come to that conclusion.

Now what is Paul saying in Romans ch 7? He is continuing his point from ch 6 that the body of sin (the flesh of every Christian) was crucified on the cross with Christ and is now to be reckoned dead. Now, I totally don't remember that so I must conclude that it happened to me outside my experience. So, should I now not believe it because I don't see it? Should I not believe something that happened outside my experience? It is called faith. God tells us things that are outside our experience and expects the promise to produce faith in us because He is faithful who promised. It honors him. Just read what it says and believe it. Now back to scripture...

Ro 7:4 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.
Ro 7:5 FOR WHEN WE WERE IN THE FLESH, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.
Ro 7:6 But now we are delivered from the law, THAT BEING DEAD WHEREIN WE WERE HELD (the flesh); that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

You would have to admit from these verses that we are not in the flesh and that the body of flesh is dead. I could go on but I think the point is well made from scripture that Paul is not saying what most of so called Christianity thinks.

1Co 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

Now we should all know that we are not saved by not doing these things (which is our righteousness), but when you live in these sins it is evidence of your unbelief.

Joh 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
Joh 16:9 OF SIN, BECAUSE THEY BELIEVE NOT ON ME;

So if you are living in sin like Paul (sarcasm) in Romans chapter 7... you should fear.

Mt 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.