Romans 7, Sanctification, and the Christian Life

By Dave Jenkins

Why do Christians still struggle with sin after coming to Christ? Many believers quietly wrestle with this question. They love the Lord, desire holiness, and want to obey God, yet they still battle temptation, discouragement, and remaining weakness.

In this episode of Anchored in the Word, Dave Jenkins explains what Romans 7 teaches about the ongoing battle with sin in the Christian life. Christians are no longer slaves to sin, but sanctification is still ongoing. Believers fight sin from a place of grace, not condemnation, because Christ has already secured forgiveness, righteousness, and peace with God for His people.

Listen and Watch

Episode Highlights

Why Christians still battle sin after salvation

What Romans 7 teaches about remaining sin

The difference between justification and sanctification

How Romans 6, 7, and 8 fit together

Why the struggle with sin is not proof God has abandoned you

How believers can fight sin through the power of the Holy Spirit

The hope of Romans 8:1 for discouraged Christians

Key Scriptures

Romans 7:18–19

Romans 8:1

Galatians 5:17

1 John 1:8–9

Philippians 1:6

Episode Summary

Romans 7 gives believers one of the clearest explanations of the ongoing struggle with sin. Paul describes the tension Christians experience between the new desires created by the Spirit and the remaining presence of sin in the flesh.

The Christian life involves real spiritual conflict. Believers have been justified completely in Christ, yet sanctification continues until they go to be with the Lord. This means Christians experience both genuine love for God and an ongoing battle against sinful desires.

The good news is that the believer’s hope is not found in personal perfection, but in Jesus Christ alone. Romans 8:1 reminds Christians, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Because of Christ, believers fight sin from grace, not condemnation.

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Anchored in the Word is a weekly segment of the Servants of Grace podcast designed to help Christians stay rooted in Scripture, grow in sound doctrine, and apply God’s Word to everyday life.

Visit the Anchored in the Word page to find more episodes, or watch the full playlist on the Servants of Grace YouTube channel.