The attitude of many is “I am just a sinner saved by grace” which makes the claim sin is inevitable in our life and we cannot be saved from sinning wholly. Those who have been genuinely redeemed know they cannot sin when the spirit of God lives within them. Those who have the mindset we cannot be freed completely from our sin will use the passage from Romans 7:17-25 that is teaching about the law of sin. When Paul says “ O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from this body of death? We find the answer in the previous chapter that we are crucified with Christ and baptized into His death, and one that is dead is freed from sin! (Romans 6:1-7) What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin.
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:2).
There are many passages in scripture that support sin cannot overpower us when we repent and are truly born again. The holy spirit that now dwells within us cannot sin! This is a matter of are we the children of God or of the devil (1 John 3:7-10) Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
There is a constant battle between the flesh and the spirit, and scripture teaches us when we are born from above we are not under the law of sin any more (Galatians 5:16-26) This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. (1 John 5:18).
We are crucified with Christ, and are hid in Him. Born of the spirit and no longer the flesh which causes us to remain in our sinful nature (Colossians 3:1-3) If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:12,13).
Precious Sheep Of Renown 
Hey Julia. Amazing insight. However, what would be your take concerning the words of Paul, when he said if we sin without willing to, it is sin and not we who are guilty? He then goes on to say we obey the law of God with our will. In this sense, would we not be considered pure even though we sin in our bodies?
Blessings.
Great question! It is written we are all sinners and fall short of the glory of God. The flesh is weak, but the spirit is willing.
You ask “when Paul said if we sin without willing to, it is sin and not we who are guilty?” We are most certainly guilty if we commit sin, but scripture teaches us to renew our minds in the word. The law makes us aware that there is sin in our life, but the law “OF THE SPIRIT” frees us from the law of sin. (Romans 8:2) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Paul said it best we are in captivity to the law, but fortunately for us God has sent a Saviour to free us from that law! But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. (Romans 7:23).
Many Blessings
Julia
I would agree that we are guilty in a sense, but it seems as if Paul is suggesting he was still sinning, though unwillingly, which he said it was sin and not him committing it. This would align with Hebrews which says there is no sacrifice if we willfully sin. It seems like the issue is willful sins vs unwillfull sins. As christians we shouldn’t sin willfully, but I think it’s impossible to not sin unwillingly as the flesh is weak.
I have a hard time when you say “Paul said it was sin and not him committing it.” as though he has no knowledge to who is sinning? Leaving himself out of the picture. We have to hold ourselves accountable for our actions, and not say we have no idea how sin happened in our life.
“It seems like the issue is willful sins vs unwillfull sins.” …….Actually the issue is free will given since the garden of Eden. Every day we wake up the day is filled with choices. Sin of course is not a willful option.
“This would align with Hebrews which says there is no sacrifice if we willfully sin. It seems like the issue is willful sins vs unwillfull sins.” …….. This is true there is no sacrifice for sin IF we continue to choose to willfully sin, by staying in sin we nullify the power of the ultimate sacrifice God sent to save us from our sins the Lord Jesus Christ. (Hebrews 10:26) For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins.
If we are in Christ we are to be a living sacrifice! (Romans 12:1,2) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins. (Hebrews 10:26).
For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. (Hebrews 9:26).
I hope this is helpful
I cant leave Paul out when he is the apostle to the gentiles and wrote most of the new testament and was taught the gospel by revelation of Jesus.
Here is what he said: Romans 7:15-17
King James Version
15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
He says it in clear words that if we do that which we do not will to do, it is not us, but sin. I dont think he’s trying to shift blame per say, but I do think he is speaking to the heart. Christians struggle with sin constantly. I think what he is implying is Christians should not sin wilfully. I dont think its Paul justifying that he doesn’t know how it happened. Its Paul talking about a struggle between his new nature and sin. Christians should not want to sin. But if they fall due to a strong battle against temptation, or perhaps commit a sin they didn’t know was a sin, or whatever the case may be. We can’t brush off Paul here. Paul even rebuked Peter for the issue with James in galatians. These are all people who had the spirit and were born again. Yet they admit they are still struggling with sin.
I guess it was the way you wrote it was sin and he was not committing it. 🙂 Yes I would never think Paul should be removed ever!
Thank you for your comments.
Julia