Sermon Preached at Grace Community Church (EPC)
Sun City Grand, Surprise, AZ
Sunday, May 31, 2015
by the Reverend Cooper McWhirter
The Doctrine of Assurance: “A Conflict of Interest” [Part One]
Romans 7:14-25
If I were to ask: “Why are you in church today?” “What would your answer be?” Some might sheepishly admit, “My spouse made me come!” Others might reply, “I’m looking for answers to some of life’s most perplexing questions.” Or, maybe you are wanting to learn more about God. But whatever your reasons might be, it all comes down to this: “How do I know if I am saved?”
In the ensuing weeks, we’ll have an opportunity to know with certainty that “I am a child of God”! And because of anything we can say or do. But rather what Christ has done for us; He died so that we might live!
In his book, The Doctrine of Assurance, A. W. Tozer remarks: “Anxiety is bad enough in our daily existence; it’s far more troubling to be unsure as to where we will spend eternity…True assurance sets us free from the painful bondage of uncertainty; even to removing the fear of death.”
The apostle Paul admits to struggling with a “conflict of interest.” He’s consciously aware of his inner torment; it’s something we all must grapple with. In this passage, Paul laments over four very intrusive conflicts which continually plagued him.
Paul’s first lament has to do with having two natures: THE SPIRIT VERSUS THE FLESH (repeat).
Paul begins by saying, “For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.”
It wouldn’t be difficult to imagine what Sigmund Freud’s diagnosis would be in assessing Paul’s mental state! His diagnosis would undoubtedly be “acute schizophrenia.” But in spite of Paul’s mental anguish, his condition was symptomatic of something far more complex.
His anxieties and frustrations had infiltrated the very fibers of his being!
Paul goes on to say, “Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good.” But this appears to contradict what the scriptures tell us! After all, no one is able to perfectly keep the Law. So why does Paul say that the Law is good? Earlier Paul wrote: “What shall we say then? Is the Law sin? May it never be! On the contrary, I would not have come to know sin except through the Law” [Romans 7:7].
Paul concludes this first lament by saying, “So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.” So now we’re getting to the ‘crux’ of the problem…SIN! Paul informs us that the Law is spiritual. And we know this to be true because these laws were conceived by God and for our benefit. After all, “God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth” [John 4:24].
Paul, however, argues that we are of flesh and blood! Our bodies are diametrically opposed to the things of the spirit. Paul is not suggesting that our flesh is inherently evil; it is not! But because of our fallen nature, we have a proclivity towards the lusts of the flesh.
St. Jerome (circa 347-420) was a great scholar among the early Church Fathers. He was credited with having translated the Bible from the original languages into Latin, called the Vulgate. According to historical archives Jerome lived in a cave for thirty-two years! Now by all accounts, he was rather contentious who had a penchant for sarcasm, which infuriated his peers. Of one opponent he once glibly remarked: “If he will only conceal his nose and hold his tongue, he might yet be taken as handsome and learned.” If my memory serves me correctly, Jerome indulged himself with, shall we say rather provocative or alluring literature, which prompted him to lament: “Lord sanctify me wholly…but not yet!”
Tozer writes: “...as I examine myself, I come away knowing…there still remains much corruption. The authentic Christian finds clear evidence of two natures at work…where there’s so much conflict, it is difficult to be sure of his actual state.”
Paul’s second lament involves having to cope with: MIND OVER MATTER (repeat).
In verses 18-20, Paul continues: “For I know that nothing good dwells in
me, that is, in my flesh.” Again, let me emphasize that our bodies are not inherently evil. However, because of our fallen nature, we have a proclivity towards sin, which finds refuge in our fleshly being.
But once our minds are attuned to God, we desire to do what is right. And herein lies yet another problem! We lack the will, the fortitude, and the ability to carry out what is pleasing to God. In essence, there’s a conflict between mind over matter. Put another way, “Its matter that doesn’t mind” or “don’t mind; it doesn’t matter”!
But take heart in knowing this! This dilemma, this tension which exists, is not yours alone! In this regard Tozer writes: “By the mere fact that you are conscious of your sins and that you grieve over your failures, is a healthy sign...The more you realize how far short you are from the holiness of God, the more you will strive to obtain the things that are holy.”
Now, at this juncture, we must ask ourselves, “Why did Paul write this discourse?” Bible scholars have argued whether or not Paul was recalling his past life before he had encountered the risen Lord. And this is based on how Paul sees himself: as one who is “sold under sin” (verse 14); and that there is “nothing good” in him (verse 18); and where he exclaims “the wretched man that I am”…trapped in a “body of death” (verse 24).
But, on further analysis, it becomes evident that Paul was speaking about his struggles after he became a follower of Christ. Paul describes himself as someone who desires to obey God’s laws; one who loathes and grieves over his sinfulness (verses 15, 19, 21). In essence, he’s describing how all true believer feel. People that are humble in spirit; possessing a contrite heart. For in no way can such contrition be attributed to an unregenerate, unrepentant sinner!
Paul is being quite candid and honest both with himself as well as with others! He’s speaking not only about his own struggles but he’s associating himself with respect to all believers who are also struggling with their own waywardness!
When I was a young lad the only reason I didn’t get into more mischief was because I became painfully aware of the consequences! Like that of Pavlov’s dog, I learned to obey by way of: “conditioned response”! However, a follower of Jesus does not respond like some “lap dog”. We seek to do God’s will because we know that He loves us unconditionally! For just as Paul reminds us, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” [Romans 5:8]. We desire to do the things that are pleasing to God; and that is because His bountiful mercies are unfathomable and His grace is immeasurable and irresistible!
Then, too, Paul laments over the fact [that]: THERE ARE TWO LAWS AT WORK (repeat).
In verses 21-23, Paul talks about a war that’s being waged within himself. Part of him delights in the Law of God; yet, evil lurks close at hand. Evil comes knocking at the doorstep of his heart, mind, and soul! The law of sin becomes alluring to the members of his body; so much so that he sees himself as that of an “unwilling captive”.
Paul’s words might seem to be ‘self-effacing’ or ‘self-deprecating’; a form of false piety. But upon examining his life and ministry, one becomes utterly amazed at his transformation after his Damascus road experience.
In his second epistle to the church at Corinth, chapter, 11, beginning in verse 16, you begin to appreciate his plight and the arduous journey he endured as an apostle. Here are a few of his recollections: “Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles…” But Paul was not boasting about his exploits. For he goes on to say, “If I have to boast, I will boast of what pertains to my weakness.”
It’s quite possible that the former Saul of Tarsus was prideful about his stature as a distinguished Pharisee. Saul’s peers recognized him as an “up and comer” in their ranks. But any prideful state he might then have had, it was washed away when he was transformed by his risen Lord!
Yes, the writer of Proverbs reminds us [that]: “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before stumbling” [Proverbs 16:18]. Following this train of thought, Tozer remarks: “Pride holds many people back from probing into their own hearts and minds. Put simply, they think too highly of themselves. They are so certain of their salvation... so smug, that they disregard any and all efforts to examine themselves…”
At this point Paul might have experienced sheer exhaustion where in his final lament he makes: A PLEA FOR DELIVERANCE (repeat).
In these closing verses he writes: “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.”
In view of the fact that Paul worked tirelessly to advance the cause of Christ, what chance do we have of ever being saved? In this respect Tozer reminds us: “To be fully assured that God is my spiritual Father, demands much more than the testimony of our own feelings, or the opinion of others; and more than simply ‘resting’ on the promises of God.”
Tozer goes on to say, “There is a great difference between presumption and full assurance. Full assurance is reasonable: it is based on solid ground. Conversely, presumption is based on suppositions and outright arrogance.”
In closing, Tozer offers this piece of advice to all weary travelers as they sojourn on this road of life: “A sincere soul is willing to be searched by the Truth. But if you are unable or unwilling to endure a healthy probe now, then how will you possibly fare when the Lord Himself examines your heart?...dear friend, give your poor soul a fair chance, be willing to inquire as to whether your faith is real wheat, or only chaff.”
Let us pray…
