Romans 7:1–25 is necessary for us, because this struggle is actually an important part of our progressive sanctification. Sin is not eradicated all at once in the life of a believer, but step by step. Just when we think we conquered sin, it will rise again. We have to kill it all over again. We always have to be putting sin to death. You know, in Bunyan’s Holy War, there is a fascinating section, where he talks about Mr. Unbelief in Mansoul (Man’s soul). And Mr. Unbelief is the greatest enemy, Bunyan said. It is the greatest enemy of Mansoul. Unbelief of course is the mother of all sin. But Mansoul has a sweet communion with Christ. And in this classic, Holy War, Bunyan has Mansoul saying, “We could not find Mr. Unbelief anywhere. And Mansoul thought, Mr. Unbelief must finally be dead. But Bunyan says, “No, he was not dead. He was working beneath the stairway, waiting for an opportune moment and come out and rear his ugly head again. And you see what happens in the life of God’s people, there is often this up-and-down process. No matter how you try to avoid it. Yes, there is maybe greater stability as you get a bit older and more mature Christian faith, but there is still many ups and downs in the Christian life; many disappointments with yourself. Then there is also many hopes and much embracement of Christ that encourage you. But very gradually there is an upward trajectory, so that you can honestly say, I think more of Jesus Christ today, than I did five years ago, and more than I did ten years ago. And I think less of myself today, than I did five years ago, or ten years ago. You see that is progress. It may not feel like progress sometimes, but it is. Because what really is sanctification? Well, the best definition I know of sanctification is what John the Baptist said, He must increase, and I must decrease. That is, it.

So, if God uses this battle to move you to think more of Christ and to think less of yourself, you are actually making progress. You need that kind of progress. It is the Holy Spirit that is working both of those things in you; indwelling you; abiding within you; convicting you; moving you to take the things of Christ as he reveals him to you. The Holy Spirit is actually involved and groaning within us. Groanings that are unutterable. There is an active work of that Spirit in us, helping us in this battle for sanctification. He helps us to put a knife through the lusts of our flesh. Thank God for progressive sanctification.¹

Joel Beeke