Kenny begins by emphasizing the importance of responding to God's word. He then delves into Romans chapter 7, verses 7-25, highlighting the common misinterpretation that these verses depict Paul's unsaved state. Instead, Kenny emphasizes that this passage reveals the struggles of a saved man, Paul, grappling with the reality of sin in his life.
Kenny emphasizes that Romans chapters 6-8 address sanctification, the process of being made holy. He stresses that true sanctification requires confronting the reality of our inability to live the Christian life in our own strength, as Paul discovered. Kenny clarifies that the purpose of the law is not to enable us to achieve righteousness through our efforts but to awaken us to our sinfulness and lead us to Christ for deliverance. He compares the law to a mirror, exposing our flaws and highlighting our need for God's grace.
Kenny further explains that the passage reveals the problem of the flesh, which he defines as the combination of self-life and indwelling sin. He points out Paul's repeated use of "I" in this chapter, indicating his struggle with self-centeredness, before coming to the realization that true victory lies in surrendering to Christ. Kenny emphasizes that the indwelling sin inherited from Adam can only be overcome by the indwelling Holy Spirit, received through faith in Christ. Ultimately, he concludes that Romans 7 teaches us to recognize our helplessness and cry out to God for deliverance, finding true freedom from sin and self through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Introduction
The Purpose of the Law (Romans 7:7-13)
Consciousness of sin
Exceeding sinfulness of sin
The Problem of the Flesh (Romans 7:14-23)
The Self-Life
Indwelling Sin
The Proclamation of Deliverance (Romans 7:24-25; 8:1-2)
Conclusion
7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. 8 But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead. 9 For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. 10 And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death. 11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me. 12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. 13 Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.
14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. 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. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. 19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. 22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 23 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. 24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.