One of the most difficult texts in the NT. Paul shows the believer that there is a war between the flesh and the "inner man." This is the normal Christian life. There is a battle that rages until we see Jesus. The Believer desires to keep God's law perfectly, but the ability to do so is simply not within his power.

Paul demonstrates that the law is not the problem. The law is holy and righteous. Our sin is the problem. The law is necessary for the Christian life. The law reveals the presence and power of sin. The law brings us to the end of self, and the law shows the sinfulness of sin

Paul continues teaching how believers walk in the gospel of grace. The end of chapter six showed us what it means to live under grace. Now Paul returns to show the church what it means that we do not live under the law.

Paul continues to demonstrate why the grace of God does not incite more sin. In this section, we see that living under grace doesn't mean that we are free to sin. It means that we have been freed from our old master in order to serve our new one. Believers are free from the dominion of sin and now serve Christ. This doesn't mean that believers no longer sin but they are no longer obeying the master of sin, now there is a fight that takes place - and the end of this fight is eternal life for believers.

Romans 6 turns a corner and begins speaking about how believers actually walk in this gospel of grace. Paul said that when sin abounded, grace abounded more, but does that mean that believer are free to sin? Paul rejects this thought and shows that the grace of God also transforms a person and frees them from the dominion of sin.

Paul shows us the magnitude of our salvation by going all the way back to the foundation of our redemption. He shows that all mankind is united to either Adam or Christ. In Adam, death reigns over all, but in Christ, grace reigns.

Paul shows us that even suffering itself cannot nullify the certainty of the hope we have in Christ. Believers will be saved finally from the wrath of God's judgment. But much more than that, we rejoice right now in God Himself.

Turning a corner in Romans, Paul now addresses those who have been justified by faith. He begins this section by showing what believers have received in Christ by faith.

NOTE: I repeatedly said "14 years" but it was 24 years between Abraham's promise and the birth of Isaac.

Paul shows us the characteristics of Abraham's faith. He believed despite all the circumstances and his faith grew as it overcame obstacles. Paul applies this to salvation in Christ saying that "it was counted to him as righteousness" was not written for him alone but for we who have trusted in the gospel.

Paul continues to discuss Abraham and his justification. Paul shows from the OT that Abraham was not justified by any work, religious rite, or obedience to law. He was justified by grace alone through faith. This is the same way man is justified today, by grace through faith.