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The Righteousness of God​
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​​​Romans 7:22-23
For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
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I have often wondered about this verse (this chapter) whether Paul was referring to his life before receiving Jesus Christ, or after. I have found myself volleying the idea of it all, and at times, one thought would briefly gain an advantage over the other. But now, it seems to me that this chapter pertains to both, in a way; life before being born again and life after. Though in context, the Apostle is speaking to born-again believers.
It was this passage in the Old Testament that balanced things out for me: “But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die. All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live.” (Ezekiel 18:21-22)
In this passage along with others, we see God’s mercy and forgiveness in the Old Covenant. Nevertheless, no one was able to live a righteous life before God, not even the best of them. “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.” (Romans 3:10-12)
Moses was a friend of God, but was not allowed to enter the promise land, and David was a man after God’s own heart. The Lord testified that Job was a perfect and upright man. Yet, Job knew that if he ever tried to justify himself that his own mouth would condemn him, and he also knew that his Redeemer would stand at the latter days upon the earth. “The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him; and He will shew them His covenant.” (Psalm 25:14)
I can imagine the remnant of old, longing for the righteousness that was to come, a righteousness not of the law, not of themselves. “And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death. For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me. Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.“ (Romans 7:10-12, 14)
Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that ‘every’ mouth may be stopped, and ‘all the world’ may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight: for by the law if the knowledge of sin. (Romans 3:19-20)
Thus, Romans 7, in a way, appears to represent the Old Covenant. As the Lord declares in Ezekiel 18, one would live, if they turned from their unrighteousness. But no one could; they were all sold under sin, even the best of them.
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. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then ‘a law,’ that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. (Romans 7:18-21)
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But how does Romans 7 apply to the New Covenant; to born again believers who have been saved by grace through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ? It seems to me, through one lens, that Romans 7 reinserts itself whenever we try to please God in ‘our own’ righteousness and not in the righteousness which is ‘of God,’ through faith in Christ Jesus. (Phil 3:9) Though one may have the Holy Spirit, we can still be led astray by the flesh, not only in sin, but in vain attempts to please God. I have been guilty of this and know it all too well.
An example of this is when we know the truth of God’s Word and try to accomplish what is written in our own strength. Yet, we are not truly abiding in the One through Whom all good works flow, through the arteries of faith, sustaining us, growing us, bringing forth much fruit. Without Jesus, we can do nothing. Without Jesus, though one believes and tries, we will find ourselves back in the Old Covenant, powerless; under what the law could not do, in that it was made weak through the flesh.
We will find ourselves back in Ezekiel 18. We will either spin our wheels, or shrink back after suffering defeat after defeat, (“Oh wretched man that I am”) or feel accomplished in whatever we think we have achieved and become self-righteous, convincing ourselves that God is pleased with us. We will become filled with pride, often expressing itself in judgement, unforgiveness and contention. Bitter roots springing up by which many are defiled. Wherein our righteousness does not surpass the righteousness of the scribes and pharisees. The prophet Jonah experienced this in a way and found himself in a horrible place. But there he came to himself and made the good confession. After which, the Lord delivered him: “They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy. But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. SALVATION IS OF THE LORD. And the LORD spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land.” (Jonah 2:8-10)
In our own righteousness, we will not live but will wither and die. Except for the grace of God and the leading of the Holy Spirit to guide us back to the Vine, back to Jesus. As we humble ourselves and make the good confession, intimately seeking Him. Where His life may direct and be expressed through a willing vessel. SALVATION IS OF THE LORD. “Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power..” Psalm 110:3
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Romans 16:27
To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.