Tearing my hair out over Romans 7, I found this brilliant quote from Matthew Henry (left):
"The law, by commanding, forbidding, threatening, corrupt and fallen man, but offering no grace to cure and strengthen, did but stir up the corruption, and, like the sun shining upon a dunghill, excite and draw up the filthy steams."
Martyn - yes, Romans chapter 7: very difficult to understand! Though that's been encouraging - I reckon if you can get your head round that, you can understand any bit of the bible; and actually I wonder if it's more simple than we think. Paul wasn't trying to confuse us.
I found stepping back and seeing it in context very helpful - he's trying to assure us, in our experience of sin, that it's normal; we're not above it, and in fact, it just throws us back on our one true hope and assurance, Jesus.
4 comments:
Very true. What were your conclusions on the tricky Romans 7 passage then?
I'm so very joyful that this clever chap isn't our preacher, or i may as well stay out on the car park.
I don't know ... I think he looks a right character!
Martyn - yes, Romans chapter 7: very difficult to understand! Though that's been encouraging - I reckon if you can get your head round that, you can understand any bit of the bible; and actually I wonder if it's more simple than we think. Paul wasn't trying to confuse us.
I found stepping back and seeing it in context very helpful - he's trying to assure us, in our experience of sin, that it's normal; we're not above it, and in fact, it just throws us back on our one true hope and assurance, Jesus.
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