Romans 7 - The Good Coach and the Bad Coach
There are good coaches and bad ones. I've experienced both. This chapter is about the human condition - the conundrum of knowing the right thing to do but doing the wrong. I’ve often thought this passage was limited to the challenge of self-control, but there's more to it.
In this battle within our minds, Paul tells of a secret weapon from God. This weapon is God himself, the Holy Spirit.
Romans 7 is a sober reality check for each of us. Humor me for just a moment. I’d like to use the story of a football coach (I’m a hockey guy, but I like football, too) to show the practical implications of this chapter. I'd like to make a point about parenting and leadership in general - I think it makes all the difference in the world.
There are good coaches and bad ones. I've experienced both. This chapter is about the human condition - the conundrum of knowing the right thing to do but doing the wrong. I’ve often thought this passage was limited to the challenge of self-control, but there's more to it.
In this battle within our minds, Paul tells of a secret weapon from God. This weapon is God himself, the Holy Spirit.
Romans 7 is a sober reality check for each of us. Humor me for just a moment. I’d like to use the story of a football coach (I’m a hockey guy, but I like football, too) to show the practical implications of this chapter. I'd like to make a point about parenting and leadership in general - I think it makes all the difference in the world.
When our youngest son Abe was seven (he’s 20 now), he played YMCA flag football. I was the assistant coach. The head coach had a kid named Jack. The coach called almost every play for his son, Jack. We’d get in the huddle, and the Coach would say, “OK, this time we’ll hand the ball off to Jack, and he’ll run to the right.” Next time he’d say, “OK, boys, this play will be a pass to ... Jack.” I kid you not. Without intervention from the other dads, this guy would have the ball go to his kid every play. It was comical. But it was also dull, nauseating, somewhat traumatic for little Jack, and frustrating for the other kids (and the parents). We can't stand nepotism when we see it in little league, yet we allow it to fester in the church.
Nepotism is rampant in the modern church. People call it the old boys' club, but it is worse than that. At least old boys' clubs had some class and some honor (and likely good cigars). What we are talking about is self-serving bias in action. Sin. So-called leaders get away with giving the best jobs to their sons (and wives and daughters, brothers, cousins, and buddies from back home) because they see it as their special privilege and right. They ask themselves, "what's in all this Christian life for me and for my family - surely we deserve a few perks." This is similar to Jesus' disciples, James and John. They wanted honour and power (Mark 10:35-45). Jesus taught them otherwise.
Nepotism is rampant in the modern church. People call it the old boys' club, but it is worse than that. At least old boys' clubs had some class and some honor (and likely good cigars). What we are talking about is self-serving bias in action. Sin. So-called leaders get away with giving the best jobs to their sons (and wives and daughters, brothers, cousins, and buddies from back home) because they see it as their special privilege and right. They ask themselves, "what's in all this Christian life for me and for my family - surely we deserve a few perks." This is similar to Jesus' disciples, James and John. They wanted honour and power (Mark 10:35-45). Jesus taught them otherwise.
These modern-day church "leaders" cloak their actions in religiosity. They may claim to have a particular connection to the founder of a ministry or to have earned a special pedigree through associations or academics. It's the evangelical "church aristocracy." I do not see anywhere in the New Testament where Jesus’ disciples built up large bank accounts in their ministries to be managed by their kids and controlled forever by their family members. It is not God’s way to have Shepherds abuse the sheep - for their little Bo Peeps. God cares nothing about pedigree or position. He always looks to a man's character. God’s way requires servant leadership, where Shepherds serve and protect His sheep.
The selfish leader claims they have a special privilege from God due to their position. They are the reference for their own kid (no conflict there!), and their little guy can do no wrong due to their excellent parenting. It’s insidious. You do it with your kid and help other churchmen do it with theirs. It’s a tough cycle to break.
In Calgary, where we raised our kids, thank God there were rules about no parents coaching their kids in hockey after reaching a certain competitive level. Sadly, we need such regulations. But as Romans 7 makes crystal clear, we do. We need them because of our sinful nature. It is the same reason we need checks and balances in our republican system. The pull of sin, the power of our human nature, is strong.
The selfish leader claims they have a special privilege from God due to their position. They are the reference for their own kid (no conflict there!), and their little guy can do no wrong due to their excellent parenting. It’s insidious. You do it with your kid and help other churchmen do it with theirs. It’s a tough cycle to break.
In Calgary, where we raised our kids, thank God there were rules about no parents coaching their kids in hockey after reaching a certain competitive level. Sadly, we need such regulations. But as Romans 7 makes crystal clear, we do. We need them because of our sinful nature. It is the same reason we need checks and balances in our republican system. The pull of sin, the power of our human nature, is strong.
Favoritism is a dereliction of duty by the leader. It robs the other teammates of opportunities to learn, contribute, and develop as players and people. It steals the fun from the game. It destroys the essence of teamwork - everyone contributing with their gifts from God. And it proves a lack of faith in God. If we trust God and have faith in Him, we know He alone gives spiritual gifts - everything the team needs. Such things are not determined by heredity.
Let us start at the heart of the problem: it is you! It is me! The trouble is not with the law. The trouble is not with God or His way. God’s law is spiritual and good. The problem is with us. We are all too human, stuck on sin. Like a Saskatchewan farmer fixated on the weather. We may draw off the magnet’s pull, but we’ll shortly return to our one-track minds.
The law, while good (7:13), shows us how sinful we are. Worse than that, our human weakness is aroused by the law. When these desires are allowed to grow, they give birth to sinful actions. And when evil acts grow, the harvest, if you will, is death and destruction. Alas, the human condition.
Every human being struggles with sin. And each in our unique way. We convince ourselves that we are not as bad as the next guy, but that, too, is a wicked sin.
Paul discovered this secret, this principle of life (7:21). The principle of doing what we know we ought not. It’s about how we live and think, and act. Being jealous, selfishly ambitious, proud, boastful, and worldly is easy and natural. Being someone who favors our kids and friends over others is natural. We know it is wrong, but we do it anyway.
Whenever you think of sin and self-control and living to please the Spirit, you will be challenged by corruption in your unique way within seconds. You may be annoyed at an interruption. We greedily save a buck rather than generously helping people in need. You will butt into the front line rather than yield to others. Or you will look at someone with disdain rather than how Jesus looks at them.
So despite our sinful natures being the problem, there is good news. You do not inevitably have to do what is wrong. You are now free from the power of sin. If you believe in Jesus and have the Holy Spirit living in you, then Jesus Chris is your Rescuer from this terrible malady of life. He has freed you from this life dominated by sin. Thank God! We are free to be servant leaders.
But listen closely. Just because you are free, you must now choose well minute by minute - day by day. The war rages on. You have the power of the Holy Spirit to have victory over the power of the law - the power of sin - but you must fight. We are given Spiritual armor for a reason. To use it. The battle must be fought.
You see, our sin was crucified with Christ. And we are now united with Jesus Christ, the One raised from the dead. God declared an end to sin's control over us by giving us his Son as a sacrifice for our sins.
No, as we let the Holy Spirit control our minds, we can selflessly serve God in thanks for what He has done for us.
Yes, of course, we rightly love our children. We are proud of them. They are the apple of our eye. I am not making the case that we can't or shouldn't help our children. Of course we should. Moms and dads are the best teachers and mentors for their kids. But we mentor them best when we serve like Jesus. I believe God detests favoritism as much as he hates dishonest scales. God loves all people and wants no one to steal from those He loves. Don’t be a bad coach. Don’t be complacent on this issue of servant leadership. Love each of the people on your team. That means genuinely wanting each to succeed in their God-given capacity. Look at people the way God looks at them. And root out nepotism and favoritism in the church.
We are able and have the responsibility to produce a harvest of good deeds for God. We can be good-loving dads by following Jesus' example rather than the example of the world.
Like the churchmen at Laodicea (Rev. 3), we can drift off course. We must be taught and retaught God’s wisdom and discipline (Prov. 1:2). We can only sail close to the wind with a strong rudder! That rudder is the Spirit of Christ. There is nothing good that lives in our sinful nature. We need to ensure we are not deceiving ourselves and claiming to be loving when doing much harm. There is no honor in nepotism. There is a great shame when the church blesses favoritism. God’s example is that he did not favor his Son. In fact, he sent his Son to die for our sins. That’s how much God loves us. That exemplifies how much we should love others and lead God’s way. Those who are last now will be first (Matt. 20:16)!
Lord God, please lead and guide me today. Please control me so I will harvest good things for you. Amen.
Let us start at the heart of the problem: it is you! It is me! The trouble is not with the law. The trouble is not with God or His way. God’s law is spiritual and good. The problem is with us. We are all too human, stuck on sin. Like a Saskatchewan farmer fixated on the weather. We may draw off the magnet’s pull, but we’ll shortly return to our one-track minds.
The law, while good (7:13), shows us how sinful we are. Worse than that, our human weakness is aroused by the law. When these desires are allowed to grow, they give birth to sinful actions. And when evil acts grow, the harvest, if you will, is death and destruction. Alas, the human condition.
Every human being struggles with sin. And each in our unique way. We convince ourselves that we are not as bad as the next guy, but that, too, is a wicked sin.
Paul discovered this secret, this principle of life (7:21). The principle of doing what we know we ought not. It’s about how we live and think, and act. Being jealous, selfishly ambitious, proud, boastful, and worldly is easy and natural. Being someone who favors our kids and friends over others is natural. We know it is wrong, but we do it anyway.
Whenever you think of sin and self-control and living to please the Spirit, you will be challenged by corruption in your unique way within seconds. You may be annoyed at an interruption. We greedily save a buck rather than generously helping people in need. You will butt into the front line rather than yield to others. Or you will look at someone with disdain rather than how Jesus looks at them.
So despite our sinful natures being the problem, there is good news. You do not inevitably have to do what is wrong. You are now free from the power of sin. If you believe in Jesus and have the Holy Spirit living in you, then Jesus Chris is your Rescuer from this terrible malady of life. He has freed you from this life dominated by sin. Thank God! We are free to be servant leaders.
But listen closely. Just because you are free, you must now choose well minute by minute - day by day. The war rages on. You have the power of the Holy Spirit to have victory over the power of the law - the power of sin - but you must fight. We are given Spiritual armor for a reason. To use it. The battle must be fought.
You see, our sin was crucified with Christ. And we are now united with Jesus Christ, the One raised from the dead. God declared an end to sin's control over us by giving us his Son as a sacrifice for our sins.
No, as we let the Holy Spirit control our minds, we can selflessly serve God in thanks for what He has done for us.
Yes, of course, we rightly love our children. We are proud of them. They are the apple of our eye. I am not making the case that we can't or shouldn't help our children. Of course we should. Moms and dads are the best teachers and mentors for their kids. But we mentor them best when we serve like Jesus. I believe God detests favoritism as much as he hates dishonest scales. God loves all people and wants no one to steal from those He loves. Don’t be a bad coach. Don’t be complacent on this issue of servant leadership. Love each of the people on your team. That means genuinely wanting each to succeed in their God-given capacity. Look at people the way God looks at them. And root out nepotism and favoritism in the church.
We are able and have the responsibility to produce a harvest of good deeds for God. We can be good-loving dads by following Jesus' example rather than the example of the world.
Like the churchmen at Laodicea (Rev. 3), we can drift off course. We must be taught and retaught God’s wisdom and discipline (Prov. 1:2). We can only sail close to the wind with a strong rudder! That rudder is the Spirit of Christ. There is nothing good that lives in our sinful nature. We need to ensure we are not deceiving ourselves and claiming to be loving when doing much harm. There is no honor in nepotism. There is a great shame when the church blesses favoritism. God’s example is that he did not favor his Son. In fact, he sent his Son to die for our sins. That’s how much God loves us. That exemplifies how much we should love others and lead God’s way. Those who are last now will be first (Matt. 20:16)!
Lord God, please lead and guide me today. Please control me so I will harvest good things for you. Amen.
My Teammates and I got a win over the USA in this Game.
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