Notes of Faith April 2, 2026
Pastor’s Pen Pulpit Series: Romans Chapter 7
March 10, 2002
“THE BELIEVER’S CIVIL WAR”
Romans 7:13-20
I’ve read a lot of very interesting accounts and events of the Civil War in America – the war that set American against American. It wasn’t a very pretty war. Many say the Civil War between the states was more devastating than World War I.
While we live some 147 years beyond the end of that war, Christians face an internal civil war every day and it’s fierce! What’s more, there isn’t a true believer anywhere who is exempt from that war. You see, it’s like this - - - .
For that which I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate (v. 15).
In the fifth chapter of Romans Paul tells us that when we were enemies of God, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son. Hard to believe that we were once enemies of God, isn’t it? Our civil war began when we were reconciled to God for our old nature is still very active within. It fights God every bit as fiercely as it ever did – maybe even more so because we now have a new nature and the Holy Spirit to enable us to do God’s bidding. Our sinful nature fights hard against that.
In Romans 7 we have been seeing the relation of sin to the Law. The Law becomes a base of operation for sin to do its worst, to fight its toughest battle. Paul shows that in verse 13:
But how can that be? Did the law, which is good, cause my doom? Of course not! Sin used what was good to bring about my condemnation. So we can see how terrible sin really is. It uses God’s good commandment for its own evil purposes (NLT).
The law, which stirred up sin, was not a cause of death in the believer. It simply illuminated the power of sin. In verses 14-20 we see the two natures in mortal combat for control of the believer’s life. Paul says the things he wanted to do as a believer he found he couldn’t do because of the opposition of the old nature – the flesh. The things that he did not want to do as a Christian he found himself doing! He acknowledged that the culprit was sin in his life (v. 17). He further recognized that nothing good dwelt in his flesh (v. 18).
We’re going to finish chapter 7 (certainly not a feel good - warm and fuzzy chapter) in our next Pen Pulpit. Let me suggest a plan of action that can make you victorious! That plan is outlined in Galatians 5:16:
Walk in the Spirit and you will not fulfill the desires of the flesh.
We are coming to that glorious chapter 8 of Romans so hang in there! God bless!
Love to you all,
Pastor Charles Covington
These are some of the words to a song that have stuck in my head for years…
“That which I would not, that do I do. I wish I wouldn’t do it, but I’m already through!”
We will not be released from our old sinful nature until we are taken to be with Christ, through death, or rapture of the church…come quickly, Lord Jesus!
As we endure this conflict, our spiritual disciplines must constantly fight, to not only endure the battle, but be victorious in the battle.
Pray, know the word of God, memorize Scriptures that will help you to stand strong against the deceit and schemes of the devil. As we grow toward maturity in Christ, our foundation and daily practice will prove effective, if we stay alert and aware of the deadly forces that take us away from the glory of God. Let us stay focused and work hard to bring glory to God who loves His children and rewards those who follow and obey the commands of Jesus!
Pastor Dale