7. Much of modern Christianity is all about “fixing” the sinner, making him better, making him less of a sinner. The article reminds us that the sinner is too far gone to be “fixed.” What must finally happen to the sinner in order for the “new software” to run properly? The sinner, the Old Man, must finally die. The Old Man cannot be fixed, reformed, rehabilitated or anything. It must follow the way of Christ—death, then resurrection. 8. What does it mean that even the good works of Christians are still sinful? How can this be? Luther understood something that many today do not: Because the new man must work through the old man, even the good things that come out of us are going to be tainted with sin. Perhaps it comes out like this: We decide we want to help someone out, and then as we are doing it, or afterward, we hope for some kind of pat on the back, some kind of recognition. “Evil lies close at hand.” 9. What would you say to a person who said, “Well, I’m a sinner, and I’m always going to be one until I die, so I might as well not fight it”? This person obviously thinks that it is okay to give our sinful nature free rein in our lives. Point such a person to Paul’s words in Romans, “Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? By no means!” No where does Scripture give the Christian permission to let his old nature rule. 10 Using the wisdom of this article, how might you answer someone who said, “What can I do? I just can’t seem to put a stop to my sinful impulses and desires. What is wrong with me? I’m a Christian, so I should be without these struggles, right?” This person obviously is afflicted in his or her conscience. It’s the scenario of Romans 7 all over again. “What’s wrong with me?” A Christian can answer: what is wrong is that you have a virus of sin that still is producing in you evil thoughts, desires, words, and deeds. It is not you, but sin living in you. There is a part of you, the new self, that truly delights in God’s law, that wants to do what is pleasing to him. But your old skin does not always allow you to do it as you know you ought. This is why Christ has come, and why he continues to say to you: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” Christ will one day rescue you from this body of death. 11. Why does the Christian look forward to the resurrection of the body? What does Scripture promise concerning the body of sin? (See 1 Corinthians 15:51-58 and Philippians 3:20-21.) On the day of resurrection, Christ will raise all the dead, and he will give unto “me and all believers in Christ eternal life.” Paul reminds us that the perishable body will put on the imperishable. When we rise from the dead, our bodies will be “like his glorious body.” No longer will they be infected by sin.
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Magazine Bible Studies - Spring 2019
