Blessed Hope Bible-Presbyterian Church
500 Upper Bukit Timah Rd, Singapore 678106
The Apostle Paul testified that he hates sin. He tells us there is a spiritual vigilance within him to keep pure. This is intense in that he understood the ravages and deceitfulness of sin. He would not want sin to overcome and overwhelm him. In fact, he would not allow the taint of any sin to take control of his life.
The Apostle Paul gives a truthful testimony in his self-evaluation the fact that he realizes his propensity to sin! He openly declares the conflict that he experiences as a believer. He is not speaking these words as a discouragement to believers rather an encouragement for believers to trust God’s grace to live holy lives.
The Apostle Paul described himself as “carnal”. It means “fleshly”, with the tendency to satisfy the flesh, implying sinfulness, sinful propensity. The “sold under sin” means figuratively, of becoming enslaved to sin, personified as a master who gains control. The Apostle Paul shows us that a born-again believer can struggle against the dominion of sin in his or her life in his own strength.
The Apostle Paul declared that the law of God is holy, just and good. He explained that the indictment of the law against the sinner for transgressing it, should by no means diminish the highest regard accorded to it. The law of God showed to man his sinfulness. He ought to be grateful that God did not left him without knowledge of his fallen estate but revealed the law to show his sinfulness so that redress can be made!
The Giver of the law is the thrice holy God. Therefore, it is clear that the law given by a holy God, cannot be tainted with sin. It fact, the Apostle Paul tells us, God’s law is holy, just and good. It is void of the filth of sin. It is right and fair. It is good, a blessing to all who obey and live by it.
The Apostle Paul has been making it clear that man’s sad plight of falling into sin is due to his sinful nature. The law of God showed him his sinfulness. It arouses in him the understanding of the uncontrollable working of sin in his life. It is made him feel miserable by the knowledge his propensity and inclination to sin without recourse.
The Apostle Paul is sounding the warning of the deceitfulness of sin. Only the gospel of Jesus Christ is able to break the stranglehold of sin in a person’s life. When he repents of his sins and come to Jesus Christ, he finds forgiveness and cleansing. Thereafter, he is being given the power to reject the enticement of sin to live a holy life. Hallelujah, what a Saviour!
The Apostle Paul discovered at a turning point in his spiritual journey that the commandments of God showed to him his inadequacy, his inability to meet the demands of the law. It slays him. Whereas in the past, by a superficial obedience, he thought he had met the requirements of the law but was stunned when he came to the realization that the commandment was meant to rebuke him of his sin. He drove him to receive Christ.
The Apostle Paul before his conversion did not truly understand the significance of the moral law. He thought he could keep the law and be saved by it. He was mistaken. After his conversion, he realized the law was given so that the sinful nature of man is aroused causing him to sin. The law, properly applied, was meant to expose one’s sinfulness. This would cause the person to realize his inability to be saved through keeping the law and come to Christ.
Man in the fallen state is unable to keep the commandments perfectly. In fact, the commandments rebuked him. It shows him how incapable he is to keep it when he makes a truthful assessment by God’s standard. Jesus did not introduce the Law to show the young man how to be saved but to show him that he needed to be saved. The Law is like a mirror that reveals who we are (James 1:22), sinners through and through before we are saved.
Truly, we see that one idol cherished in the heart may ruin a soul forever.
Jesus showed this young man his besetting sin and with his weak point exposed, he was vulnerable. He could not stand the test. Truly, Paul said rightly, “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” (1 Timothy 6:10) Bible reminds us of Judas Iscariot, Ananias and Sapphira who were judged by God because of the sin covetousness.